VOTE ON NOV 2
4th Berkshire District

I'm challenging the incumbent in a two-way race. Voters have an opportunity to tip the scales towards new solutions in November.

photo by Jason Dennis

Campaign Journal

Sep 2: Thanks, Jason and Judy, for arranging a meet 'n greet event at Firefly in Lenox. Thank you, also to the two Laura's and Aggy for the hospitality and treats. Enjoyed meeting Jon, Lisa Lisa, Kelson, Michael W., Rosella, Rebecca, Anaelisa, Kas, Michael Z., Eric, Wanda, Nicole, and others.

Sep 1: Canvassing in Great Barrington, where I'll stop by for Green Drinks in the evening.

... all journal entries...

A GREEN CAMPAIGN FOR A REAL CHANGE

I am a Green-Rainbow candidate for State Representative in the Fourth Berkshire District of Massachusetts, a campaign to get Massachusetts working for the people, and for the quality public infrastructure that our communities, farms, and local economies depend on. This is a two-way general election race between me and the Democratic Party incumbent.

For too long we have not witnessed the change in Boston and in Washington we thought we were voting for. It’s still business as usual. Despite the fanfare over our commonwealth’s “reform” of health care in 2006, costs have not been contained; the private insurance plans that people and businesses are forced to purchase do not provide value for money or security from financial disaster. Tax increases, most recently the sales tax increase, are regressive, placing the burden ever more unfairly on those whose services, needs and desires are being ignored while banking interests get bailed out. Isn’t it time to demand tax fairness and other kinds of real change? Read on ...

The quality infrastructure that I refer to, built upon a strong public sector, includes quality education, forward-looking environmental stewardship, green jobs, healthy local food, new sources of energy, more transportation options, and medicare for all. When it comes to health care, our political and media establishments either don’t get it, or they’ve sold out to those who profit from the shameful status quo. Advanced social democracies around the world have proven that 'medicare for all,' a publicly funded comprehenseive insurance system, costs less, produces superior health outcomes, is more fiscally responsible, relieves businesses and local governments of health care cost burdens, and offers individuals - everyone in no one out - complete financial protections for needed treatment and healing. Let's become healthy by rejecting trickle down health care.

A FORWARD-LOOKING SLATE FOR THE STATE

I join Jill Stein, who is running statewide on the Green-Rainbow Party ticket for Governor, Nat Fortune, who is running for State Auditor, and Mark Miller, who is running for State Representative in the neighboring 3rd Berkshire District. Please support these Green-Rainbow campaigns. I will be proud to introduce them to you when their campaigns bring them to our communities.

The time for the party - for bold change - is now. The mandate for change must come from the people. When I earn it, your support for me will be an unequivocable call for new thinking. The voters in the Fourth District have for too long not been given choices on the ballot. My campaign will be about solutions that come from outside the old paradigms, from listening to you, and from new approaches. My experience in business, the arts, my global networks, my community service, and my belief in the power of people’s movements have prepared me to serve the district at this critical time. I shall be honored to earn your support. Let’s give business as usual a run for the money and hold the establishment’s feet to the fire.

PLEASE HELP / VOLUNTEER

Click the DONATE button near the top-left of this page and contribute whatever you can afford, up to the $500 limit. A check can also be mailed to:
Green-Rainbow Friends for Scott Laugenour
Jeff Turner, Treasurer
125 Lincoln St. 2nd Floor
Pittsfield, MA 01201-4857

Green-Rainbow candidates respectfully do not accept contributions from registered lobbyists or from officers of corporations that hire them.