To the Editors of the Western Vermont College Red & Black

Dear Editors,

There’s a homeless woman that comes in the soup kitchen where I volunteer, and she wants to run for mayor.

But the city has this really stupid law that requires people who want to run for mayor to pay a fifty dollar registration fee, which essentially shuts out homeless people and poor people from running for office.

I’m sorry, but I think this stinks!

My friends say I’m crazy for feeling so strongly about it, but I can’t help it.

They say she couldn’t be mayor anyway because she’s an alcoholic and rubs shit in her hair.  That attitude really makes me angry!

First of all, alcoholism is a disease (duh) and I don’t see why a person should be dismissed just because he or she has a disease.  How would you feel if you were suddenly fired from your job because you got a case of dry skin?  I think that stinks!

And I guess the fact that she rubs shit in her hair makes her less “mayoral?” I’m sorry, but could we be more image-driven?

Everybody says they’re for equal rights but the mere thought of a homeless, alcoholic, shit-smeared person (who just happens to be a woman) repels them.

I’m sorry, but did somebody just say “hypocrite?”

I think we should all work on being less critical and more open to new ideas. And if you’re not, you’re nothing but an intolerant, closed-minded, money-grubbing, fat-assed Republican!  And I think that stinks!

I’m sorry, but I had to get that off my chest.

Amber R.