Supporters of Vermont independence have always appreciated Bernie Sanders’ candor and honesty as  the bearer of bad news: the U.S. middle class is collapsing, climate change is real, our federal government is run by and for Wall Street, the U.S. of Empire is fundamentally broken and cannot be reformed. Why, then, does Bernie want to run for president of said Empire? Good question, one whose answers longtime political observer Greg Guma’s thoughtful critique of Bernie and the Progressives’ legacy in Burlington, Vermont, where Bernie launched his political career decades ago. “Real change” for Vermont (and other states) involves decentralizing our economic and political life as an effective strategy for dealing with the unique problems confronting the United States in the 21st century – peak oil, climate change, and imperial overshoot. As Guma suggests here, supporting Bernie Sanders for president might make many of us feel better in the short term, but is useless as any sort of long-term grassroots political strategy. Guma’s article is featured in our new 2015 “Green Mountain Noise” e-zine, along with plenty of other news and commentary. Free Vermont, and long live the Untied States!