Politico and “The experts up there” talk about CT for Lieberman

http://tiny.cc/c2oxp
We find it amusing that John is Politico’s expert on CT election law.

CT Death Penalty a Costly Sham by Dan Haar

Excellent presentation of the facts: http://tiny.cc/mph2k

Tom DeLay convicted!

If you’ve seen the documentary “Casino Jack and the United States of Money” you are giving thanks today. Every American should see it; it details the horrendous crimes and destructon of our government perpetrated by Jack Abramoff, Tom DeLay, and our system of lobbyists and campaign finance. DeLay was convicted by the state of Texas for activities not portrayed in the movie. Sadly, the federal government has declined to prosecute him. Read more about the conviction here:
http://tiny.cc/19496
And I highly recommend you watch the documentary:
http://www.takepart.com/casinojack

Two good events: Prison Reform Panel at UConn Law 11/30; Death Row discussion Trinity College 12/2

Prison Reform Panel in Hartford - The Central Connecticut Chapter will be joined by several experts for a panel discussion and Q&A on the issue of prison reform. Panelists include former Connecticut legislator Bill Dyson; ACLU-CT Staff Attorney David McGuire; Laresse Harvey, ex-offender and Policy Director of A Better Way Foundation; and Jim Amis, a 20-year employee of the Department of Corrections and former Prison Ombudsman. The panel will be moderated by Don Noel, journalist and a former editor of The Hartford Courant. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 30, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Janet M. Blumberg Hall, inside the Hosmer Hall building on the University of Connecticut Law School campus, 65 Elizabeth Street, Hartford. The event is free and open to the public.

Wrongly convicted man who spent 17 years on Death Row to speak at Trinity College - Juan Melendez is one of 138 people in the United States to have been wrongfully convicted for a crime, sentenced to death and later exonerated. He spent 17 years, 8 months and 1 day on death row in Florida for a crime he did not commit. Since his exoneration in 2002 Melendez has traveled the United States, Canada and Europe sharing his story and advocating abolition of the death penalty. Melendez will speak on Thursday, December 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Washington Room in Mather Hall on the Trinity College campus, 300 Summit Street, Hartford. The event is free and open to the public.

Wendell Potter (no relation to Harry) book signing: “Deadly Spin: An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out On How Corporate PR Is Killing Health Care And Deceiving Americans.”

Wendell Potter, the former CIGNA Corp. public relations executive, now outspoken critic of health insurers, has been a high-profile catalyst in the debate over health reform — with a message that the insurance business model fails most consumers.

Read the full article at the Hartford Courant: http://articles.courant.com/2010-11-16/business/hc-wendell-potter-1117-20101116_1_health-insurers-insurance-companies-debate-over-health-reform

This Campaign - A Heartfelt Reflection

I made the decision to run for U.S. Senate in May 2009. I talked it over with Mike Telesca, chair of the Independent Party, and my family: Ann Marie Krupski, and my four children, Paul, Sonja, Jake, and Julia. We agreed that running in 2010 would be a huge commitment, a lot of work, and only a first step.

I’ll never forget the end of the final conversation with my kids: “What do you think, should I do it?” “Yes! Sure! Why not? It will be fun.” I decided the only way I would do it is if it really was going to be fun, otherwise I would end up unhappy doing all that work.  And it *has* been fun.

MY SINGLE BIGGEST REWARD

At the Campaign Kickoff in September 2009, I said I was running because I was scared, angry, and worried, and that we needed to make drastic changes in our government. Since then, I’ve learned so much about all the people working very hard and doing incredible things in Connecticut to improve the world, that we never hear about, that I’m not scared anymore: I’m filled with hope. There are so many good people out there!

OUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT

I never expected that so many good things would happen as a result of me running for office - grace and blessings not directly related to politics. We brought a reading program to a school in Hartford. We organized an event for and with Rabbis, Imams, Priests, and Ministers to fight religious prejudice. We helped people find jobs and go back to school. We’ve heard complete strangers tell us that because of our campaign, because of the sincerity of our words, they are inspired and have hope (amazing!). I am blessed to have had this experience, and proud that our efforts have already changed the world for the better. It has changed my life.

I’VE LEARNED FROM ALL OF YOU, AND I THANK YOU

Mike Telesca – The son of a gun that got me into formal politics in the
first place. One of my most trusted friends, he never gives up. The driving
force behind the Independent Party, he has been fighting corruption in
Waterbury for as long as I can remember.

Ann Marie Krupski – countless hours helping on the computer, producing
videos, and standing by my side, literally and figuratively. The definition
of the word partner. She has her finger on the pulse of the average person,
I ask her “What do you think about…” and I always listen.

Paul Mertens, Sonja Mertens, Jake Mertens, Julia Mertens – collecting
thousands of signatures, helping on facebook, being taxi drivers, showing up to fill a room, giving advice, introducing me at events, always being supportive, putting up with everything! They make me the luckiest man alive.

Warren Mosler – I met Warren at a candidate’s event in March. He too was
running for U.S. Senate. We spent a dozen hours together in the next week,
discussing economics and public policy. He changed the way I frame fiscal
issues. I recommend his book “The Seven Deadly Innocent Frauds of Economic
Policy”. It was a major change in my path, and I offered to support Warren
for the Independent Party line for U.S. Senate, to work together, and to try
to get both of us in the debates to push SOLUTIONS. It was a major change
for me. I had been working all along to get the Independent Party on the
ballot, planning to run for both the IP and the CFL. But I understood that
this wasn’t about me running for U.S. Senate, it was about building a party
and a movement. A wonderful friendship has resulted, and Warren has been
instrumental in taking the Independent Party to the next step.

Elizabeth O’Toole – Warren’s partner, his Ann Marie. Always there and
supportive, and positive!

Andre Yap – My inspirer, a man who sees the core of things, who has helped
me become a listener and an inspirer in my own right. A man with amazing
vision. He has changed me.

Giulia Gouge – The most positive person I’ve ever met. Incredibly helpful.
My Press Goddess. Keeps me in a good mood in every meeting.

Amy Desmaris – My Social Media Goddess. Always has the answer, or finds it
within minutes. Incredibly patient with my still-developing social media and
computer skills!

Tom and Kathy Marsh – I sent out a press release endorsing Tom Marsh for
Governor yesterday. The most down-to-earth, honest public servant you can
imagine (first selectman of Chester). Always calm. Very good for me. And the
beneficiary of an amazing partner. Hmmm, I’m seeing a trend here…

Tomoyo Wakamatsu – co-founder (with me) of the Trinity College/Bellizzi
Middle School partnership. Tomoyo’s direct involvement made it all possible.
Helping to take it to another level this year.

Sara Shea – My campaign would not exist as it does now if it hadn’t been for
Sara’s help with press releases the first nine months. Thank you so much for
your efforts!

Reza Mansoor – An amazing man. A very busy M.D., he also spends tremendous
personal energy trying to build bridges of peace and understanding. He took
the time to educate me about the amazing Muslim community in CT, and what it
has gone through during these trying times. One of the most inspiring people
I have ever met.

Khamis Abu-Hasaballah – Khamis expressed something to me in a way that I
will never forget: “The separation of Church and State in the United States
is what gives us freedom of religion.” A very wise and humble man.

Ralph Nader – A tireless fighter for us, the people of the U.S. His honesty
and commitment are truly inspiring. I’ve had numerous conversations with him
over the last 14 months, and he has provided encouragement. Most recently
said “John Mertens would make a good senator” at a press conference in
Hartford. Thank you, Ralph.

Steve Fournier – an angry lawyer, and former co-chair of the CT Green Party,
who is running for Attorney General. I don’t know if he knows this, but he
has become somewhat of a father figure to me. Has been incredibly
supportive, and I have never forgotten his words in 2009: “I have no doubt
in my mind that John would always put the interests of the people first, no
matter how much money is put on the table.” They meant a great deal to me.

Jitu Huntley – my wonderful TV show producer at West Hartford public access.
Has done a WONDERFUL job. Thank you, Jitu, for everything!

Andy and Alex Dykas  – fantastic helpers, film producers, internet posters, and incredibly politically savvy and energetic. Thank you for all your help and advice!

Anthony Spencer  - Anthony, you have inspired me, with your hard work and dedication to improving yourself and the world. Thank you(!) for all your volunteer efforts, and your friendship.

David Samuels – An example of standing up for what’s right and speaking your mind, no matter what.

Ken Krayeske – ditto (see David Samuels). Ken and David remind me that sugar
coating is not an option. Ken is running for Congress for the Green Party.

John Kilian – John saved the CFL by contacting me and disclosing a plan to
try to cause legal problems through deception and trickery. THANK YOU JOHN!
John is determined to educate people and candidates, and get people back
involved in politics. A public servant himself, through the national guard
and as a nurse. John is running for state representative.

Joseph Brooks – LEAP representative, and guest on my first TV show.
Cliff Thornton – founder of Efficacy, and first black candidate for Governor
of CT (2006). Guest on my first TV show. Cliff and Joseph have helped
educate me about the need for drug law reform. THANK YOU!

Jason Ortiz – UConn student and candidate for state representative. Without
Jason, we would not have pulled off the U.S. Senate debate at UConn with
Free and Equal. Jason’s courage and honesty is inspiring.

Susan Kniep – President of the Federation of CT Taxpayers Organizations, and
a big proponent of inclusion in debates. Sponsored the U.S. Senate debate at
Trinity College in July, and invited all the candidates to be on her East
Hartford TV show. Trying as hard as she can to educate people. THANK YOU,
Susan!

Sherry Boyd – for being SO supportive of the campaign. THANK YOU!

Richard Marti, Georgia Davis, Lee Cruz, Matthew Browning, Tracy Simmons
(Creedible.com) who gave their time to talk with me, on video, to share
their work and ideas. Educating and inspiring people, who are true public
servants. Thank you for all of us! And thank you for being so supportive of
the campaign!

Slate Ballard and Ken Janke – The Grove in New Haven. THANK YOU!

PODcampers in New Haven – One of the most inspiring days of the
year for me: Ann Nyberg, Joe Cascio, the aforementioned Andre and Amy and
Matthew and Ken, everyone at the event! It was very moving for me.

Alex Depratti and Kelly Sciarra, and THE SISSON TAVERN. For making it my
campaign headquarters (literally), and being SO supportive!

Giovanni Ciriani – incredible supporter and volunteer, and now trusted
friend and advisor. Thank you.

Jack Levis – SUPER volunteer, somehow fitting it in to his full time student
schedule. Thank you, Jack.

Darrell Sullivan - Of Sully’s Pub), thank you, Darrell, for your
support!

Tom Pascouche (and LB!) – advisor, computer expert, trusted friend.

MANY MANY others, people who are working in the trenches every day, who
have shared their ideas, efforts, concerns, knowledge, and support. Everyone from health care workers, to small business owners, to unemployed people, to students, to stay-at-home parents, to non-profit volunteers, most of whom have no great passion about politics, but just want people to do the right thing. Thank you for talking with me. Know that I’ve listened to every one of you. I HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY YOU.

The following people have been the resident sponsor of my TV show in public
access stations around Connecticut, and supported me in many other ways (and
others who would rather not have their name in public). THANK YOU!
Noelle Tenedou-Levine
Eden and Jay LeMark
Andy and Patty Smith
Jane Weston (co-chair of the CT Green Party)
Thomas Deeds
Martha Deeds
Chris Sherman
Chris Randall
James Eaton
Greg Garcia
Jessica Maher
Karen Higgins
Elaine Krupski
Lorraine Krupski
Derek and Sara
Pete Ellner
David Maliniak
Tony Crosby
Roger Potvin
Carol Parham
Derek and Sara Warren (and thank you for spinning at my kickoff event!)

I have literally run out of time to tell all of this story before election
day. So many others to thank…. I will try to do so in person soon!

NOVEMBER 2 AND BEYOND

I understand why many of you vote the way you do or don’t vote at all. When you look at your options for November 2, know that you can vote for parties and politicians, the same old. Or you can vote for community, honesty, problem-solving, and most of all, for inspiration. Inspiration brings light to darkness, and that’s why more than anything else, we need inspiration in politics. We will continue to inspire each other, to work together, to build a movement to give us voice and participation in our government. We will fight against people and money and machinery who are trying to teach us that if someone disagrees with you, they are your enemy. Just the opposite: we are all Americans, we SHOULD disagree on things, but be able to talk about them, and find solutions.

We will continue the fight, we will never give up. Never. Never. Never. Never. Never.

THANK YOU ALL!

A nice article about John Mertens’ campaign, by Stephen Hamel #CTsen #mertens

It appears on CT Mirror, the second story on the page:
http://ctmirror.com/node/7604
Here’s a direct link:
http://uconnpolitics.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/third-party-candidate-struggles/

Watch John Mertens on CT Newsmakers here #CTsen #mertens2010

A nice interview with Tom Monahan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUcqPiQJgoQ
REMEMBER TO VOTE ON TUESDAY!!!

Watch John’s interview (3 min) with the Yankee Institute #CTsen #mertens2010

Zachary Janowski (Raising Hale) did a nice job of editing. I’m not sure if they liked everything I had to say… :) http://www.raisinghale.com/2010/10/29/could-an-engineer-change-the-u-s-senate/