The Greater Boston Chapter of the Green-Rainbow Party unanimously and enthusiastically endorses the candidacy of Francisco L. White for the office of Boston City Councilor At-Large. 

GUEST OPINION

Will there be a Green-Rainbow candidate in the special senate race?

by John Andrews  Feb 13, 2013

Click here to view town by town election results for President.

• MA support for Green Party Presidential/Vice-Presidential candidates Jill Stein/Cheri Honkala strongest in Pioneer Valley (Connecticut River Watershed): 
• Wendell MA leads the state with 8% for Stein/Honkala
• 3%+ in Amherst, Ashfield, Hawley, Leverett, Northampton, Sunderland, Williamsburg, and Worthington; also Mt. Washington and Plainfield 

Results for State House 4th Berkshire district (incumbent): Pignatelli (D) 82%, Laugenour (GRP) 18%

• Russell MA leads with highest percentage of vote for Laugenour (33%)
• Great Barrington leads with largest number of votes (672 out of 3611 total) 

Results for State House 5th Hampden district (open seat): Vega (D) 61%, Vacon (R) 20%, Hobert (GRP) 19%

November 2012 election STATEWIDE QUESTIONS – will appear on every ballot in the state

Question 1: Availability of Motor Vehicle Repair Information

The referendum sponsors (in favor of YES) have reached very late agreement on a compromise bill that has since been enacted into law.

Green-Rainbow Party takes no position on issue.

Question 2: Prescribing Medication to End Life Upon Request 

Green-Rainbow Party takes no position on issue.

Question 3: Medical Use of Marijuana (passed!)

The Green-Rainbow party would have liked to have seen a broader referendum. Our existing policy is in favor of legalizing, taxing, and regulating marijuana.

Green-Rainbow Party position: Vote YES on this issue

LOCAL QUESTIONS – will appear on many local ballots, but not all.
The question number will vary by voting district. Check websites for specific information in your voting district.

Move to Amend:

This ballot question instructs state legislators to pass a state resolution calling on Congress to propose a Constitutional amendment affirming that (1) corporations are not entitled to the same constitutional rights as human beings, and (2) Congress and the States may place limits on political contributions and spending.

Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party locals have strongly supported this national movement spearheaded by leaders in the Green Party of the United States. In Massachusetts, voters in 33 state representative and 6 state senate districts, approximately thirty-five percent of the state’s voters, will have the opportunity to vote on this question. For details, see Massachusetts Move to Amend website.

Green-Rainbow Party position: Vote YES on this issue

Budget for All:

This ballot question asks: Shall the state Representative (or Senator) from this district be instructed to vote in favor of a resolution calling upon the Congress and the President to: 1. Prevent cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans benefits, or to housing, food and unemployment assistance; 2. Create and protect jobs by investing in manufacturing, schools, housing, renewable energy, transportation and other public services; 3. Provide new revenues for these purposes and to reduce the long-term federal deficit by closing corporate tax loopholes, ending offshore tax havens, and raising taxes on incomes over $250,000; and 4. Redirect military spending to these domestic needs by reducing the military budget, ending the war in Afghanistan and bringing U.S. troops home safely now?

The Green-Rainbow Party took an active part in the coalition of community, labor, and peace groups that put the Budget for All referendum on the November 6, 2012 ballot in 91 cities and towns across Massachusetts. One million Massachusetts voters will have a chance to support this agenda. For details, see the Budget for All website.

Green-Rainbow Party position: Vote YES on this issue

Legalize Marijuana

The legalize marijuana campaign has managed to get on the Nov. 6 ballot in 44 cities and towns in Massachusetts.  Over 1 in 11 voters will have the opportunity to vote on marijuana legalization. The question is worded: "Shall the State Senator/Representative from this district be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that would allow the state to regulate and tax marijuana in the same manner as alcohol?"

In addition, other districts vote on the following question: "Shall the state Senator/Representative from this district be instructed to vote in favor of a resolution calling upon Congress to repeal the federal prohibition of marijuana so that states may regulate it as they choose?"

Green-Rainbow Party position: Vote YES on this issue

The Green New Deal is an emergency four part program of specific solutions for moving America quickly out of crisis into the secure green future. We call these solutions a Green “New Deal” because they are inspired by the New Deal programs that helped us out of the Great Depression of the 1930s. And these solutions are “Green” because they create an economy that makes our communities sustainable and healthy.

It's time to end unemployment and debt in America. It's time to transition to a new green economy. It's time for a Green New Deal.

The Green New Deal is the central platform of the Stein/Honkala ticket. 

GPUS presidential and vice-presidential candidates Jill Stein and Cheri Honkala are generating lots of press! Links to interviews and articles are posted below, and  more links can be found at the campaign website: www.jillstein.org. Onward! 

Something is hatching in the 4th Berkshire District, where Scott Laugenour is the GRP candidate for State Representative. Scott and I hit the sidewalks earlier today in Great Barrington and met with a response that was, indeed, great.

As usual, most of the doors I knocked belonged to people who were not home (or simply hiding from me) but of those who were at home and planning to vote for a particular state rep in November most said they were voting for Scott. With more than four months until election day and little media attention, I found the level of name recognition and early commitment very encouraging.

Going door-to-door and focusing on core GRP themes like Medicare for All, green jobs, renewable energy, and transparency in government, Scott is running a strong grassroots campaign.

When you have a couple of hours to invest in party-building this summer, please spend them campaigning with Scott in the Berkshires. I'm eager to get back out there soon, and hope you can join me. In the meantime, check out Scott's website www.scottlaugenour.org and his campaign facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/friendsforscottlaugenour. 

We're gearing up for a 2012 campaign for State Representative, 4th Berkshire District. We're talking about Green Local Jobs, Fair Taxes and Strong Infrastructure, Education, Medicare For All, Refusing the Influence of Corporate Money, and Sound Energy Policies. You can learn more at http://www.scottlaugenour.org/

Since the 2010 elections local greens have continued to be impactful and have grown into a strong political force. Fellow greens serve on boards and committees, and have organized town and political action committees. Mark Miller's campaign came was within 200 votes of winning the 3rd Berkshire District seat in the special election in neighboring Pittsfield, collecting almost double the number of votes of the fourth-place Republican candidate.

We are getting ahead of the curve to bring about change next year. Let's hit even harder in 2012 to demand...