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Tomorrow, citizens all over the country will be heading for the polls to cast votes for Congress as well as any number of state and local races. This election is being called a historic election by some and I believe will be historic indeed. I only hope that after the election both parties will be able to find a way to work together so we can get our country back on track.

In Massachusetts the people will be electing a new governor as well as all of the other constitutional offices. I am casting my ballot for the candidates from the Massachusetts Green Party. I realize that there is not much of a chance that they will win, but I believe we need more voices from an independent third party and the Massachusetts Green Party has the clearest voice for change in this election. If enough people vote Green tomorrow the voice will be heard loud and clear.

Here are some of my reasons for voting Green tomorrow:

Continue reading Why I am Voting Green
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From Planet Valenti

SOMETHING’S AFOOT IN THE BERKSHIRES. COULD IT BE POLITICAL MAGIC? JILL STEIN THINKS SO. MEANWHILE, SPERANZO’S “S.S. COWARDLY” TAKES ON MORE WATER.

JILL STEIN: Running for Governor and out to ‘reclaim democracy’

THE PLANET had a private meeting with gubernatorial candidate Jill Stein (Green-Rainbow) at a hidden location cleverly designed as an exact replica of The Tavern at the Red Lion Inn. Stein was campaigning through Berkshire County today with 3rd Berkshire District candidate Mark Miller and 4th Berkshire hopeful Scott Laugenour. We met Stein and Langenour over coffee and tea … and me.

For the record, The Planet picked up the tab.

Stein canceled other campaign events in the state to be in Pittsfield and South County. She will be back tomorrow and Monday. We don’t need to draw anyone with functioning brain cells a map, do we? She’s here because she smells blood in the water, and Green-Rainbow is pouring much of what it has left into the 3rd and 4th district campaigns. Being around this political push, one senses a distinct rush, a combination of urgency and the smell of a win.

Continue reading SOMETHING’S AFOOT IN THE BERKSHIRES. COULD IT BE POLITICAL MAGIC?
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My opponent, in a recent radio debate, exclaimed “I’ve been a co-sponsor of this legislation for six years.  My opponent and I have the same position.”

My response caught him off guard.  

“In the six years that the incumbent has been co-sponsoring this legislation,” I challenged, “the number of his fellow co-sponsors has plummeted to less than half of the all-time high number of co-sponsors, which was tallied in the year 2000.  He has said nothing publicly in defense of medicare for all when his Democratic party leaders attempted to remove the issue from its platform.  It’s not a surprise that his party leaders want it removed; they are happy to accept donations from lobbyists and corporate officers who profit by keeping things just the way they are.  He has not come to the defense of the legislation when well-funded opponents have spread misinformation about it.  Nor has he done anything to educate his peers in the legislature to secure more co-sponsors and then actually pass the legislation.  I’ll provide a different kind of leadership.”

My incumbent opponent did not have a response to this attack of his lackluster advocacy.  His political playbook did not have a chapter for the scenario he found himself in.  Radio listeners found it refreshing.

Continue reading The Co-Sponsorship Ruse

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“Greater Boston” aired an unprofessional interview Thursday with two of the three candidates for State Auditor, and failed in its responsibility to inform its audience so we can cast a knowledgeable vote for State Auditor. Green-Rainbow Party Candidate Nat Fortune would have brought more light than heat to this pretense of conducting a candidates’ debate.

As shocked as I am at Emily Rooney’s negligence, I am equally disappointed that neither of the other two candidates — who have participated in several three-way forums — had the integrity to refuse to appear unless all three valid candidates were included. They both claim they want to bring transparency to the office, but where was their transparency tonight?  

Continue reading “Greater Boston” and two Auditor candidates fail their responsibility

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I love to watch video of the goings on across the state. Very interesting to hear these perspectives, and to see so many willing to get involved; so many willing to vote their values and do the work to change the course of this state, and by example, our country.

WGBH.org    jillstein.org

I am so irritated by the continued downplay in the media of Jill’s candidacy.  I can’t believe that Charles Gibson asked Jill about the “spoiler” effect.  What a loser.  From my perspective, the only spoilers in this race are Deval Patrick, Charlie Baker, and Tim Cahill.  If they would just get out of the way, we could make this state work for the people who live here, not just the corporations who usurp our tax dollars and bank the bucks.  We could have affordable healthcare for all and green energy creating jobs and clean air.  We could get our lives back.

I think Jill has picked up plenty of support over the last months.  It’s high time for the people to stop and think while they are in that voting booth.  I want them to see Jill Stein’s name, finally say they’ve had enough and vote with courage instead of fear.

Continue reading “I Like Her Politics”
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The Massachusetts District Attorneys Association (MDAA) sent a letter to candidates on Oct 7 asking for support for legislation that would require budget parity between public prosecution and public defense offices.  They expressed concern at disparities that have grown in the last eight years.  The letter claims that 8 years ago District Attorneys offices received $78 million and the Committee for Public Counsel Services received $51.  For FY 2010 the District Attorney office appropriations were $92 million, while the CPCS appropriation was $168 million.

One item that struck me in particular was the amount of private outsourcing that was reported, which I shared with the Berkshire District Attorney when I met with him on October 18. He told me that presently 90% of the caseload that is handled by CPCS is given to private contractors, who are called ‘bar advocates.’ It made me think of Halliburton!

The MDAA requested that I e-mail my thoughts on their proposal to them, which I did today.  The text of the e-mail follows.

Continue reading District Attorneys Propose Parity

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by Jason Pramas (Open Media Boston Staff), Oct-22-10 OMB Editorial

Whatever the outcome of Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner’s trial in federal court over the next several days, I can say as sure as poor DJ Henry was executed in upstate New York by the Mount Pleasant 5-0 a few days ago for DWB (Driving While Black) that Turner was targeted for political elimination for being – first and foremost – an outspoken progressive black politician by former US Attorney (and Republican) Michael Sullivan. These kinds of events are the “exceptions” that prove the rule that we are not living in a “post-racial” society yet. Far from it.

The government’s case against Turner is light on facts and heavy on weirdness. They had to pay their “star witness” Ron Wilburn $30,000 to attempt to entrap Turner – and also former State Senator Diane Wilkerson, who looks to really have done the deeds she’s accused of doing … having pleaded guilty to eight counts of attempted extortion in June. Both Turner and Wilkerson stood accused of malfeasance that still remains totally small potatoes next to the major league corruption that higher level (and significantly paler) politicians commit in here in the Commonwealth on a regular basis.

Continue reading Chuck Turner’s Trial Shows That America is Anything But “Post-Racial”
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