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Towards a just & healthy democracy in the Commonwealth... and beyond!
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Tue Aug 17, 2010 at 15:56:43 PM EDT
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( - promoted by michael horan)
The MA Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus recently sent my campaign a questionnaire, which I am returning today. My support on the issues of civil rights, marriage rights, privacy, HIV/AIDS policy, and education is resolute, which their members will see easily enough in my answers.
The cover letter to the questionnaire identified the caucus as being 'bi-partisan.' This made me wonder if the caucus is open to endorsing a candidate from outside the parties that are generally defined by the term 'bi-partisan,' or if they limit serious consideration only to candidates from two parties. I asked about this last week, but have not received an answer yet. |
| scott_laugenour :: MA Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus: A Candidate's Answer |
| After the series of yes/no questions, the caucus asked me to articulate why supporters and members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community should support my candidacy. Here is my response:
"My husband and I are proud to be married in the first state in the US that recognized same sex marriage. I am active in the community, on boards, on committees, and have explained to many people the importance of recognizing and tapping the strength within our diverse communities. Your group has done much to advance equality and I look forward to being part of this struggle from within the legislature.
Discrimination and stigma have taken their toll on our community. It is important to have leaders who have close knowledge about the harmful effects of remaining stigmas and who are vigilant in upholding civil rights, protecting these rights from repeal by [majority vote]. Our leaders must also educate citizens in word and in example - with passion, clarity, and zeal. I am such a leader and I would like your caucus' endorsement for the office I seek: the State Representative position in the 4th Berkshire District.
The Green Party of the United States, with which I and the Green-Rainbow Party in Massachusetts affiliate, has had marriage equality on its platform since its founding. No party does better. My election to the legislature - the first Green-Rainbow Party member to that body - will tip the scales in many ways. When elected, I will be honored to be a gay-married member of the state legislature and will continue my service in the proud example that I have established locally.
Equality is equality is equality and I'm for it."
I look forward to continued discussion and to hearing from voters on this and on other issues. |
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Green Mass Group is an online forum for Green thought and collective action in Massachusetts. It is a community forum for justice, sustainability, democracy and health in the Commonwealth and beyond.
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| Quotes |
"Now, is this the deal I would have preferred? No. I believe that we could have made the tough choices required - on entitlement reform and tax reform - right now, rather than through a special congressional committee process. But this compromise does make a serious down payment on the deficit reduction we need and gives each party a strong incentive to get a balanced plan done before the end of the year. Most importantly, it will allow us to avoid default and end the crisis that Washington imposed on the rest of America."
--President Barack Obama on the debt ceiling "deal"
"Despite Democratic control over the White House, despite Democratic control over the Senate, despite overwhelming opposition from the American people, a small minority of the members of the Republican-controlled House have successfully pushed an extreme right-wing agenda onto the American political landscape. It is an ideology which believes that despite the fact that the rich are getting richer, the middle class is shrinking, and poverty is increasing, all - all of the burden for deficit reduction should rest on working people."
--Independent Senator Bernie Sanders on the debt ceiling "deal"
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Then and Now
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Then...
"Last year Evergreen, a Massachusetts company, agreed to establish their first-ever United States based manufacturing facility here in Massachusetts. They did so, or are doing so, at Devens. They have now agreed and chosen to triple their size at Devens. Their next phase of expansion, right here in Massachusetts, a signature company in a signature sector, and we congratulate all of the folks at Evergreen and look forward to continuing to work with you...
We made a personal commitment to Evergreen for the sake of Evergreen, but also because we wanted to show that there are ways in which state government, in working together with private industry and with the utility companies, could begin to create a different kind of environment, a different kind of business climate here, to grow that sector, and it is happening. It's happening. Evergreen is one of the most prominent examples, but there are a whole host of examples."
--Governor Deval Patrick, April 7, 2008, boasting about state investment in Evergreen.
and Now...
"Evergreen Solar Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection yesterday, completing a stunning reversal of fortune for a high-flying alternative-energy company that once seemed to herald a new era for the Massachusetts economy... At its peak, Evergreen employed roughly 900 people locally and attracted more than $50 million in state support, as its stock price soared above $100 a share.
Yesterday, Evergreen's stock closed at 18 cents. The company shuttered its manufacturing plant in Devens earlier this year and now has only 85 employees left. Massachusetts is one of its top creditors, owed $1.5 million in rent."
--Erin Ailworth, Boston Globe, August 16, 2011
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