The problem with asking me what I would do is that I don’t have all of the information. I can’t provide a solution based upon some anecdotal evidence written on rollingstone.com. And why do I have to provide a solution? Taibbi didn’t provide anything approaching a solution. He merely said we should get angry. Ok, check. Now what?

Merely, I was pointing out inconsistencies in the article and saying that if you are going to paint a doomsday scenario about “revolutionary economic changes” in this country, is it asking too much to do a bit a research? Perhaps ask some questions to economic experts. Dig into poverty statistics in the United States. Provide unemployment numbers. You know, make a case for change. Don’t just write angry posts about how unfair life is. Guess what, it’s unfair for everyone.

So I say this out loud, ask intelligent questions, point out inconsistencies, and what do I get? Some anonymous poster telling me I should go hang myself. Nice. Real mature. That’s definitely going to help folks out.

Some solutions are beyond the scope of the national debate Taibbi talks about. High property taxes need to be addressed in the state legislature. If the property tax burden is that bad, I would suggest moving to a lower tax state.

I only wish I had a solution to high fuel oil prices, then I could make the real money. But rather than offer a solution (cause I don’t have one) I might ask why people are consuming so much fuel and are they taking steps to reduce their fuel consumption. Are rural Vermonters driving compact fuel-efficient cars or are they driving SUVs. I don’t know, the article doesn’t say. If someone wants to visit their ailing father in Connecticut, but can’t because of fuel costs, have they looked into bus services? Perhaps there are other ways to get to your father that are more fuel efficient. Same for people needing medical services. Ask the hospital if they have a ride share program (here’s a hint: they probably do).

There were also some concerns about food. This I have a solution for. Vermont has a lot of rural property, let’s bring back agriculture. Encourage local farmers to grow crops for food consumption, not for fuel. Do this through a series of tax breaks and tax incentives. Then establish farmers markets for the grower to seller directly to the consumer. The food won’t have the same mark-up as the grocery store applies, people will be eating better, and it promotes the agriculture industry in the state. There will be a series of knock-on jobs with the growth of this industry.

For single mothers, I’d advise they consult WIC and similar state sponsored programs. The Vermont State Health Department can be a wonderful resource about programs available to those in poverty to care for their children. I’d also ask why the father isn’t involved in the child’s life. If they are deadbeats, the mother should collect child support.

There are a few ideas. Of course, it takes time to change some practices (particularly the bit about agriculture), but no one said change has to happen tomorrow.

However, I do not see any reason to deny that there ARE people in Vermont working multiple jobs who cannot afford gas. This IS a problem, even if they are above the UN-designated poverty line. Do we want Americans living like this even if they are partially responsible for getting into a bad situation? No! There has to be a solution.

In part, we will help them because it’s a self-interested thing. People too poor to buy gas have a greater incentive to engage in criminal activity, and they probably aren’t raising very well-adjusted children! What I always want to know is what would Eric have us do for them?

There will always be people handicapped in some way. When this handicap is mental, we tend to ignore it unless it is hugely pronounced. But what about the dumb people who can’t make as much as we well-fed city slickers? Do we leave them to burn firewood in their living rooms in the winter? Do we have any responsibility to protect them from themselves?