Vermont is an oasis in my mind. I see and hear about the rest of country facing unprecedented turmoil, yet I see no traces here. Yes, the occasional abandonment of a building occurs, but do I see foreclosure signs to my left and to my right? No. I see stability, honesty, community, and the beautiful green mountains. I love this state. It's just a shame I live in Rutland.

First of all, everyone I know loves the state. My friends and I love it here and our opinions about the state have intensified positively as we've gotten older. As mentioned before, Rutland is a terrible place for open-minded teenagers such as ourselves. Road trips to Burlington send chills down our spines and leave us longing for the same experience back home.

Using Rutland as an example: Rutland has become "Anywhere USA". Sprawl is taking its toll. Poverty is rampant in the city. It's depressing. It's sad. And you know what? It's noticed. By everyone. We all want change. Vermont has a unique opportunity to transform itself into a place where everyone is entitled to a second chance and happiness by all.

Get the input of every single Vermonter, of every ethnic and social background. Of any job description. Vermont needs to ensure stability in everyone's life. Go to WallMart in downtown Rutland and pluck an unfortunate soul off the sidewalk with a Mountain Dew in one hand and a stroller in the other. Get her opinion. Her opinion is the key to Vermont's darkest issues.

Rutland exists. It is the second largest city ("micropolis") in the state. We have the same problems. We face the same issues. Except Rutland is its own sad, abandoned planet; we need change here, as much as it is needed in Chittenden or Windham (Counties). At least I, and my friends, care about what needs to be done!

It used to mean wholesome values, a friendly neighborly attitude & courtesy. It used to mean there was kindness & respect for the culture, the land, and way of life here. I now have surcumbed to the fact that this was all for show. Visit, but don't stay.

Bigotry, seggregation, intollerance, and demeanorism.

Operating ANY business in Vermont. Operating any motor vehicle on the roads and bridges. Curtail and limit interaction with any resident flatlander. The opportunities to be part of, belong, associate, and live in Vermont are extinct.

I don't know, I'm disqualified 2 speak 4 Vermont(ers). I'm a Visitor who's resided here for decades. I say Vermonters are doing great job making residents who used to appreciate, respect,& abide the ways to leave. I hate the term Flatlander! I never minded it for many years. It now groups me w/those who disrespect, try to change, upset, compete, & or take over VT.

For Sale: (1) Vermonters dream home or (1) Flatlanders Dream, homestead included.

Family history of summers here.

independent thinkers

population growth management as seen in sprawl and ethnic diversity, drug control and rehabilitation, economic prosperity

listening to other points of view, seeking concensus amicably, looking at both long- and short-term human impacts

I vote for environmentally friendly initiatives, which is my primary concern.

high taxation, expensive food, expensive housing, etc. You can't live off beautiful landscapes and someone else's farms. VERY limited future for graduates or professionals here.

no business growth here! People mistakenly believe that the world is what it was 30 years ago. This is 2009 and Vermont is stuck in the distant past.

too expensive to live here. Few career opportunities. Dead zone.

Find a way to lower taxes! Get taxes from low-impact technology businesses. Attract businesses that provide jobs for educated people and teach new applicable skills to those who do not have them. Too many low-end unskilled jobs and not much for professionals throughout the State. Stop depending on the skiing and hospitality industries to define Vermont. Bring it into the 21st century.

Many full-time people are leaving. Second-homeowners are not going to stay either. Lots of homes on the market here. The property tax system is terrible. I have put my home on the market. I love Vermont, but it is just too expensive. I will find a better solution in another State with nice landscapes. Long-term, Vermont is for the very wealthy.

Vermont is my Home, has been for 8 generations, and all three of my children live here. Vermont, for me, means the potential for the kind of Home I had as a child to be available for my children's children.

"Vermonters" ~ who are they? Probably independent spirits.

Safety is eroding, and I find that too many people are too complacent about this. We'd rather talk about jobs and countryside, and put blinders on when it comes to the degradation of our state's sense of freedom from crime.

Vermont means to me the ability to have "otherness" living and prospuring all in one community. It means to take pride in doing what is right for all instead of selfishly being concerned with your self. It means to have unwavering pride and boastfully speaking to those who don't know about us.

Our common values vary but progress towards equality is always been in the forefront of Vermont. Our agreement to support the future of Vermont and be sustainable also brings us common values.

The biggest challenge facing Vermont is its ideals vs. wants. Ideally we want to be rural and progressive, but we want better paying jobs and affordable housing. We wish for the private sector to grow but do not want to give up our social service programs.

The number one priority is how do we make our state attractive to clean, green, and Vermont friendly business that brings us funds to support our progressive and socially responsible ideas.

Rutland is a dieing town, business leaves left and right, leaving deep holes in our budget and edifice. The city needs a jump start of business arts and population if it plans to survive in the next century.

Like the captive insurence bizness we should go after corperate registrations based on transparency and honesty and scruples those values our state is known for. When asked where.."a Delaware Corperation" is mumbled where " A Vermont Coperation" is sung loudly

Vermont for me is synonymous with strong community, beautiful rural landscapes, a deep tradition of working the land, with socially and politically progressive population centers throughout the state

Strong community, and sustainable use of our land

Vermont does not have enough jobs to offer the people who want to live here. I and many others worry that we will be forced to look for work outside of Vermont.

Keeping young bright minds in the state by encouraging the growth of businesses and organizations that work on global issues.

We came to live year round to escape the negatives of suburban life- noise drugs traffic and crowed schools . It was cultural shock for my older son but prepared him well for the outside world. We made the right choice and i am 6th generation to live here. My children now have the beat of two worlds good jobs in city and here for vacations!

this is a question that is different for each section of the state. In small towns we respond to unexpected needs of people and help them .

the lack of cell service and fast internet is a HUGE drag on the economics of our state . It is appalling this has not been addressed sooner so that we are not behind the curve as we are at present. I have dsl in both my hones but not cell.

we need a more forceful forward thinking governor. Some one who have NIT spent his or her life in state government, never working in the private sector is a negative for our state.

home; where i have raised my children; where i'm connected. within it's borders it feels peaceful - a very noticeable feeling upon returning

most Vermonters notice that feeling of relief and peace when they return from being away all Vermonters want to live a decent life, want the same for their neighbors, want their lives to be meaningful, fun. we value work.

same as national AND maintaining a quality of life that is created of the whole environment and people but not easily defined

community, education, environment, jobs, farming, decency, civic & neighborly commitment