Vermonters,

Too often, we’ve found ourselves caught in a cycle where every single issue is met with an exaggerated sense of crisis, as if every challenge marks the end of the world. Catastrophizing like this doesn’t just skew our perspective—it has real, damaging consequences for our communities. When every problem is treated like an imminent disaster, it paralyzes our ability to respond thoughtfully and clouds our judgment.

This constant drumbeat of doom drives deeper wedges between us, amplifies stress and division, and drowns out the chance for meaningful, practical solutions. It makes us adversaries instead of neighbors. We become so consumed by fear and finger-pointing that we lose sight of what’s truly at stake: our ability to work together, to find common ground, and to create positive outcomes for everyone.

The good news is we are headed in a better direction now. We’ve broken the grip of a supermajority, opening a window for a more balanced and less divisive way forward. This is our chance to stop catastrophizing every issue and start addressing challenges with the level-headedness they deserve. We can focus on solutions rather than scare tactics, on collaboration instead of polarization. By embracing a healthier, more constructive approach, we can foster real progress for our community—and that’s something worth fighting for.

JT Dodge