Terry Bouricius

Terrill G. Bouricius (born c. 1954) is an American politician who served in the Vermont House of Representatives from the Chittenden-7-4 district from 1991 to 2001, as a member of the Vermont Progressive Party. Prior to his tenure in the state house he served on the city council in Burlington, Vermont, from 1981 to 1991, from the 2nd district and served as president of the city council.

Quotes

• A vote for John Anderson is wasted since after his election nothing will remain but campaign debts. Yet there is a constructive vote - a protest vote with clout. Barry Commoner and the Citizens Party are building for after the election. If they get just 5 percent of the vote, they will qualify for up to $3.9 million in federal funds retroactively, $1 million to build the party between 1980 and 1984, and over $5 million to wage the 1984 presidential campaign. With guaranteed ballot access in all 50 states and this financial strength, the Citizens Party can transform America's political system.
  • As quoted in The Burlington Free Press (November 1, 1980)

• Of course unions are not perfect. It is easy to point to self-serving or corrupt leaders in some unions. But as a whole, unions represent a vital defense against dictatorial employers. If you have any doubts, just look at the conditions of labor earlier in this century.
  • As quoted in The Burlington Free Press (November 6, 1981)

• Democratic socialism does not mean massive government bureaucracy and totalitarianism, but rahter democratic self-management of community and workplace. The socialism I advocate is akin to that advocated by freedom fighting Polish Solidarity union (which, despite Reagan's expressions of support, is a socialist movement). The principle of democracy is that each person should have a say in the decisions that affect her or his life. This is the essence of the American ideal of equality and the socialist pursuit of economic democracy. Why should democracy stop at the factory gates or the door to the bankers' board room? Both capitalism and authoritarian "communism" violate this basic democratic value. The probablem is the concentration f power, whether in the hands of an unrepresentative party or an unrepresentative corporate elite. The quest of the Polish workers for democratic socialismis worthy of support, both in Poland and in the United States.
  • As quoted in The Burlington Free Press (January 12, 1982)

• I witnessed first hand the popularity of the Nicaraguan government and the suffering caused by the U.S. An elderly woman from Matagalpa told me she knew the U.S. people didn't support the C.I.A. war, and that if the people of North America really understood what Reagan was doing they wouldn't tolerate it. I hope she is right.
  • As quoted in The Burlington Free Press (April 20, 1985)

• Today's national economic and political priorities are being set by corporations and corporate-sponsored politicians. I sense that Americans are finally getting fed up and are deciding to take back our society from the few, and return it to the many.
  • As quoted in The Burlington Free Press (January 1, 1990)

• Bernie is among the brightest, hard-working and most honest public servants I've met. What's more, he has vision!
  • As quoted in Rutland Herald (August 23, 1990)