Bush still searched for a few more words, when it came to the individual men and women who had suffered gruesome injuries in the two wars. "You know, I don't feel sorry for them, because they don't feel sorry for themselves."
So here is the tally so far for W's two wars:

Imagine a former President, the most recent one we have, leaving office with two ongoing, unresolved and unpaid-for wars of choice and a banking crisis that nearly bankrupted the country, and leaving his Republican party filled with extremist conservatives who have managed our system of government into paralysis.

And what does he do in his retirement while wallowing in his private wealth, but play golf, mountain bike, paint pictures of himself naked in the bath tub and shower (and email them), spend more tax-payer millions on his presidential library, which he filled with lies and no books, and then publicly makes dumb statements about our vets, while he smirks and gloats ad nauseum.

Perhaps you too feel rage.

Which leads me to Vermont.

Do you ever dream of what it would be like if the country were more like Vermont?

Vermont is not perfect. Vermont does, however, inspire and provide a leadership model for the rest of the country. The Vermont Constitution was the first in the nation to abolish slavery, provide for male voting rights for all men, not just property owners (but not women), and funding for a state university in support of public education.

Vermont was the first state to legalize abortions, the first in the nation to create civil unions, followed by being the first state to legislatively pass the Marriage Equality Act by overriding the veto of then-Governor Jim Douglas.

Other "firsts" are in process, such as banning fracking, closing down an antiquated nuclear plant and implement- ing a single- payer health care system.

What is it then that makes Vermont a leader on so many tough issues? Is it the early Vermont settlers, a fiercely in- dependent bunch; secular, hardworking, fair-minded, living isolated from one another yet powerfully committed to community? Think of their choice for a Vermont motto: Freedom and Unity.

Perhaps it's the Vt. constitution, admired for its brevity, that set the course for all of us so long ago. Or is it the beauty of our landscape we are so connected to, to lakes and rivers and mountains and meadows—with no billboards allowed. Or is it because so many who move to Vermont do so by choice...because they want to live here....so very different from those who, for whatever reason, are unaware of other options?

It could be Vermont's small population, second in the nation only to Wyoming, which provides us a kind of neighborly intimacy. Or could it be Vermont's small press corps, or an accessible, progressive congressional delegation and state government, or our Town Meeting Day. Overall Vermont has an active citizenry who remain feisty, opinionated, vocal and mostly respectful and civil.

Out of this Vermont melting pot comes a can-do optimism of thinkers, writers, educators, health providers, farmers, actors, painters, musicians, political activists, policy wonks and business folks of all kinds; all happy to be living in Vermont and all doing their best to make a difference.

For example, in this issue of Vermont Woman we have several feature profiles, including our cover feature on Middlebury's Bill McKibben, a tireless, internationally-known, respected and controversial climate change activist. Con Hogan, a long-time beloved Vermont public servant, who has clarity about human nature and human needs, an
uncanny sense of governance, and a realistic yet open-minded mastery of policymaking. Con is currently the elder statesman on the important Green Mountain Health Care Board, responsible for finding solutions to cost-containment. Con believes that running his horse farm keeps him grounded in policy-making. How Vermont is that?

Judy Tartaglia, CEO of Central Vermont Medical Center, one of five women running Vermont's hospitals, handles a difficult, multi-layered complex position, while juggling the daunting trials of balancing budgets and providing excellent medical care.

In Vermont, there are conflicts over energy, gun control, growth issues, conservation vs. development and, of course, budget struggles. Yet, this year the Vermont legislature passed a very tough bill, Death with Dignity, the second state in the nation to do so.

Overall, what makes Vermont "Vermont" is the passion and determination of the people who live here, who for the most part are rugged, intelligent, authentic and fair, who in the end will bow to fairness, community and beauty over profits.
We can wish for, even strive for perfection, but overall Vermont is about as good as it gets. Vermonters are among the healthiest and happiest in the country. The rest of the nation should take a big cue from Vermont.

Think of how exhilarated you feel, every time you come home to Vermont.