Berniemania in the Helderbergs

—  Photo by Judy Crilley

Backing Bernie: Supporters of Bernard Sanders for President gathered at the Rensselaerville home of Jeannette and Bill Rice Wednesday night, one of 3,000 such events held across the country.

RENSSELAERVILLE — Across the country last night, tens of thousands of supporters of Bernard Sanders for President gathered to “organize for Bernie.”

One place they met was in the Rensselaerville home of Bill and Jeannette Rice. “Ninety-five thousand people have RSVPed,” said Jeannette Rice of the national estimates. “They are gathering in church halls and schools and town centers across the country.”

On Wednesday evening, 25 Hilltowners sat in the Rices’ living room — some on the couch, others on the stone hearth or added chairs — to watch a video feed from Sanders, and plan ways to help elect him.

“I got involved in this in a very personal way,” explained Jeannette Rice. “I was at a doctor’s office and the receptionist said, ‘You’re special.’ We’re all special. It hit me to the core.  In our country, we are not all special. We should all have access to health care.”

Rice and her husband are both retired — he’s an engineer and she’s a teacher.

She believes that Sanders, who is 73, can usher in a single-payer health-insurance plan that will benefit all Americans. “He supports the little guy,” said Rice.

The self-described democratic socialist — a former mayor of Burlington and Congressman for Vermont and currently its Senator — has surprised even himself with the power of his campaign.

“He’s going into red states and drawing crowds,” said Rice. “When he stumped in Arizona and Louisiana, thousands of people turned out.” In Phoenix, Sanders drew 11,000, and in Iowa, where the first primary is held, he drew 2,500 to Council Bluff, the biggest turnout of any candidate.

Sanders has raised $1.5 million, largely from small donations. Sanders’s website asks,  “Ready to start a political revolution?” Rice answered the call “There was an open invitation on his website,” she said. She estimated she knew about half the people who were coming to her home.

“No one can get elected by themselves,” said Rice. “Bernie Sanders doesn’t have the backing of PACs. This is truly grassroots.”

Rice is enrolled as a Democrat and, like many supporters of Sanders, says, “I can’t support Hillary Clinton.”

Rice’s views align with Sanders’ on topics besides health care. “Global warming is not like believing in the tooth fairy,” said Rice. She and her husband installed solar hot-water collectors in their home in the Jimmy Carter era, she said, and they still work. Three years ago, the Rices had solar panels installed.

Asked if she thought Sanders could actually get elected, Rice answered, “This movement is way beyond the support Barack Obama had at this point....The labor unions have stalled in their decision to support Hillary Clinton.”

A recent CNN poll showed Sanders besting the major Republican candidates, although in a near-even heat with Jeb Bush (Sanders at 48 percent and Bush at 47 percent) but well ahead of  Scott Walker (48 to 42 percent) and Donald Trump (59 to 38 percent).

Attendees at the Rices’ gathering last night wrote their thoughts on Sanders, covering a variety of issues. “We need a lot of changes and Bernie is the best candidate,” wrote Susan Story, who said, even if he’s not elected, “He will keep Hillary more honest.” Across the bottom of her note, it said in capital letters, “Time for a revolution.”

Jim Kaufman wrote, “Bernie is on the side of the largest voting bloc in our country — working people.”

Another supporter wrote, “Bernie is the only candidate who speaks to me — we must protect public schools from corporations; Vermont is always so practical!”

“Bernie believes that health and employment and education should be accessible to everyone,” wrote Phyllis Johnson of Berne. “Bernie believes that government of the people by the people and for the people can be a reality and we are the people.”

“Our country is in crisis,” wrote Linda Miller of Rensselaerville. “We need someone with a social democratic agenda who can address issues of economic inequality, racism, and corporate threats to the environment, to public schools, to heath care, etc. Bernie Sanders is that candidate.”

“We can’t afford corporations taking over America,” wrote David Gori of South Westerlo. “Bernie can stand up to the corporations and look out for people, not big money.”

Rice concluded of the reason for holding the gathering, opening her home to both friends and strangers, “Everyone is responsible for the future of this country.”

More Hilltowns News

  • Multiple maps and an oddly-worded legend has made it difficult to discern whether or not Berne has a historical district with enforceable zoning regulations but, while residents could be forgiven for any confusion, the district’s legitimacy is unambiguous from a legal point of view. 

  • A driver crashed into a Rensselaerville home early Sunday morning, causing it to go up in flames. The driver and an off-duty paramedic who assisted in the rescue both suffered only minor injuries while the occupants of the home were uninjured. 

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