When two airplanes flew into the Twin Towers in 2001, Vinny Forras described himself as one of the volunteer fire fighters who didn't think twice before responding to the scene at Ground Zero.

He used the same hair-trigger response when deciding to start up a campaign to run as an independent for U.S. Senate.

"For me, it's answering the call like I did on nine-11," Forras told about 14 attendees at a town hall meeting he held on Monday night. "Our country is in trouble ... I don't know where it's gonna go. I really don't. But I don't like what I see."

Forras, who said he is a life-long Republican, is seeking to unseat U.S. Senator Chris Dodd in the 2010 elections. Dodd's biggest Republican challengers are former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, former WWE executive Linda McMahon and Fairfield County investor Peter Schiff.

Forras sketched out his viewpoints in blunt, passionate language, telling listeners he disagreed with being politically correct because politicians should be truthful.

He said there should be two-term limits for senators, that public schools should reintroduce religion, that bills and laws should be written in shorter, more accessible language and that healthcare costs should be reduced through increasing competition between insurance companies.

America should stop buying oil from the Middle East, Forras added, and instead the country should start leading the world in energy innovation.

Forras said that he was interviewed on Eyewitness News' "Face the State," and that the segment is running this Sunday.

"We want to be represented by one of our own," Forras said, "not a beltway guy or a country club crew."