John Russell, Democrat For U.S. Representative, District 5, Flor

Name:	John Russell, Democrat For U.S. Representative, District 5, Flor
Office:	U.S. Representative
Website:	johnrussellforcongress.com

Background:

John Russell Biography
Candidate U.S. House of Representatives, Fifth District, Florida
www.johnrussellforcongress.com

John Russell relocated to the Tampa Bay area from Buffalo, New York in 1994 settling in the Blanton area of Pasco County near Dade City. While having professional experience in a number of areas including finance and business, John has spent the greater part of his career principally focused in healthcare.

As a Registered Nurse, John has first hand knowledge of our healthcare system ranging from homecare to the emergency room and intensive care. Having spent more than twenty years in the health care arena, John has experienced firsthand the evolution of health care delivery. John, having studied health care policy at the graduate level, feels that the public should be concerned about the future of health care access and delivery; Considering current governmental initiatives, which increasingly favor the interests of private insurers, over those of health care providers and the patients that they serve.

In 2004, John Russell, formally entered the political arena as a Democratic Candidate for Congress in the Fifth Congressional District seeking to oppose incumbent Rep. Virginia Brown Waite, (R) Crystal River. The strong message delivered by Mr. Russell was well received by the citizens of District 5 impressing the voters with his knowledge and strength of conviction on core issues such as health care, economic policy and the environment. Mr. Russell did not have the opportunity to face off against Congresswoman Brown-Waite in the 2004 general election. He did however finish a very strong second in a primary field of four candidates, setting the stage for future endeavors.

Following the primary election, Mr. Russell accepted the position of Pasco County Coordinator for the Betty Castor Campaign for the United States Senate. While Betty was not successful in her bid to succeed Senator Bob Graham, John Russell is proud of his role in delivering a win over Mel Martinez for Betty in Pasco County.

Academically, Mr. Russell is a graduate of D'youville College School of Nursing (BSN), Niagara University and The State University of New York at Buffalo (MBA in Health Systems Management), and is also an alumni of The University of South Florida class of 2001, (Master of Science in Nursing). Mr. Russell is nationally accredited as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ARNP).

John (Russ) Russell was born in Buffalo, New York on February 11, 1956 to Clifford F. and Betty L. Russell. Since moving to Florida, John has acted to promote justice based upon principles of equality and fairness wherever a difference might be made. John enjoys the active lifestyle that Florida offers. John has over the past eight years in addition to earning his Masters in Nursing from USF, assisted and cared for his Mother Betty, age 83.

In designing his home, he planned for and integrated into the design an "in-law" apartment for his Mother... which he knew would be necessary as she was getting older.

John has been assisted by a wonderful patient care aide, (Phyllis), over the past two years in the care of his Mother Betty, who has declined somewhat due to a memory disorder/Alzheimers.

John is thankful that she is still able to do as well as she does due in large part to the thoughtful care and prescribed medication by her caring neurologist (Dr. Wilson).

In April of 2006 his Mother, Betty had to enter a nearby nursing home which John felt would be best for her continued wellbeing. A lifelong athlete, John enjoys playing golf, tennis and running, as well as occasional games of pick-up ice hockey. Mr. Russell is single, and resides in his home in Dade City.

Goals:

Currently there is a frontal assault on the middle class!

I am running for Congress because those who are charged with representing the interests of myself, and others like me... clearly are not. Current office holders such as my opponent Virginia Brown-Waite in the 5th District instead represent the interests of the powerful and the corporations to the near total disregard of working Americans.

My goals as a U.S. Representative are to...
1.) Insure that everyone has access to quality affordable health care irrespective of their economic circumstances. I also want to make certain that medicine remains an attractive career choice for those with the talent, drive and ability to become the kind of physicians that we would want to take care of us.

2.) I want to fight for an Energy Policy that will improve the climatological health of our planet. Alternative Energy is technologically feasible right now, yet the forces of entrenched political/corporate alliances prevent America from moving forward to protect our planet from global warming.

The self-serving recalcitrance of the multi-national corporations whose tentacles entangle politicians at every level of government, circumvent the evolution of a new planetary economic paradigm based on alternative energy sources that would lead the world, and in particular "working America", to a new economic boom.

The additional benefit of a "pro-alternative" energy policy would naturally lead to a less interventionist foreign policy, as demand for oil would be greatly decreased. The obvious consequence being that the probability of future conflicts over oil would be greatly diminished.

3.) I will secure Social Security for future generations and current retirees.

4.) I will work to get American soldiers out of Iraq ASAP!

I will not be adverse to voting affirmatively, relative to holding accountable, those officials currently in office whose decisions have squandered American lives and resources... on behalf of corporate corruption and malfeasance... misleading the American people into the debacle that is the war in Iraq.

5.) I will work to ensure that America has a sound long-term economic policy the major goal of which will be to re-invigorate the Middle Class in this country which has been severely harmed by "Corporate Friendly" so called free trade policies.

I will seek to gain control of our borders so that middle class Americans will not have their lives, and those of their children adversely impacted, by unfair labor competition.

Employer exploitation of desperate throngs of illegal workers/undocumented immigrants willing to be subjected to substantially lower compensation and poor working conditions in 21st century America are despicable. Illegal/undocumented immigrants are attracted to cross borders illegally in order to earn what are meager/ subpar wages by American standards (for a given occupation/job), but are substantially higher than the pennies per day paid in the 3rd world conditions of Mexico.

Illegal aliens cause large upward shifts in labor supply resulting in decreased aggregate wages for ALL workers.

This occurs because unscrupulous employers are willing/able to exploit illegal populations because of the illegal immigrants fear of deportation.

Current policy enforcement which is lax at the employer layer (mostly ignored), disproportionately benefit corporations to the detriment of American citizens... citing recent studies/articles by economist Paul Krugman and George Buerhaus of Harvard University.

As your Congressman, I will seek to hold employers at every level, civilly and criminally accountable for hiring undocumented workers in violation of laws under the purview of State and Federal Departments of Labor and Insurance, as well as the Internal Revenue Service.

I will seek to increase the efficiency of, and annual levels of legal immigration to this country, thereby affording those who demonstrate their respect for the rule of law, the same opportunity as those who have traveled the same road before them.

Issues:

The top 3 issues that I am running on are as follows...

1.) As a health care professional with considerable background and knowledge as to what is right and what is wrong with America's health care system... I stand as an expert representative for both patients and health care providers in my goal of ensuring that ALL Americans have access to Affordable Quality Health Care by transitioning to a SINGLE PAYER FINANCED SYSTEM financing the provision of healthcare in America.

In line with ensuring that ALL Americans have access to health care, I will also work to ensure that Social Security is strengthened and not eviscerated by any privatization plan of any sort.

2.) America must have leadership that has the interests of the American people in mind. I will work to deploy American soldiers out of Iraq ASAP. That is to bring as many soldiers home as is practicable as soon as possible.

It is principally the function of the representative of the peopleâ€| to enact the "Will" of the people and that is... to bring our people home.

It is my contention that what is missing is the "political will" to recognize the "sunk cost" of this warâ€| and cut our losses by enacting a new policy of planned and organized military disengagement in Iraq.

While our president, and this congress trumpet themselves as protectors of you and yours as the all encompassing force for national security, I believe that we are vulnerable more so than ever before due to a tremendous mis-allocation of resources.

The consequences of this skewed deployment of resources was dramatically and tragically on display for the world as the great city of New Orleans and its' citizens succumbed unabated to the forces of Katrina. Nuclear power plants remain vulnerable, in particular the Crystal River Plant in Citrus County Florida according to officials charged with its protection. Great concern in spite of these threats... much closer to home, remains focused abroad, while our border with Mexico is a veritable sieve. Security at home MUST become a priority NOW!

As America enters the fourth year of conflict in what can only be described as a deteriorating environment in Iraq (due in no part to the selfless service of our dedicated soldiers), the scene is marked by escalating sectarian violence and political disorganization.

The policy of George W. Bush true to the prediction of many, has clearly been a failed one. By now the true rationale for the invasion of Iraq is clearâ€| Securing an American foothold in the Middle East where exist the last large, easily recoverable petroleum reserves.

The unspoken alterior Motive for the invasionâ€|. The Bush Plan does not include large-scale departure anytime in the near futureâ€| One can argue the semantics of "long-term" vs "permanent" bases... what's the difference?

The failed foreign policy of George W. Bush promulgated by his neo-conservative inner circle, would not have taken place were it not for the unquestioning blind support of representatives such as my opponent Virginia "Ginny" Brown-Waite.

The legislative "cooperation" of representatives such as "Ginny" enables such "short-sighted" policies to be implemented.

Democrats in District 5 cannot afford an equally maleable/pliable general election candidate in 2006!

One cannot fail to acknowledge that the cost in lives and treasure has been so immense, that the goal of energy independence may have been squandered/sacrificed due to the irresponsible expenditure of resources by this administration and this extremist oriented congress.

3.) Totally in line with my second stated goal is the prompt promotion and transition of America and the world away from a fossil fuel dependent economy to a more alternative energy focused economy leading to a more environmentally secure world.

I care about our environment, our economy and our world. The only way to secure our environment from further degradation associated with the burning of fossil fuels, is to transition away from fossil fuels to solar, wind power, bio-mass, and hydrogen powered economy.

Today we are in our 4th year fighting the First Energy War of the 21st Century. How many more must we fight to continue to secure declining petroleum deposits for the monopolistic acting Petro-Chemical Oligopoly.

Our foreign policy today clearly is derived from and driven by our energy policy... or lack there of... Our security as a nation is negatively impacted as higher oil prices accruing to middle-eastern suppliers go to fund the purchase of weapons for potential terrorists.

A transition to an alternative energy fueled economy will decrease these revenues to our middle-eastern adversaries as defined by this administration.

Yet there is little evidence of interest by politicians who are beholden to the petro-chemical industry (for their support)â€| in moving in the direction of U.S. energy independence.

It is therefore, hypocritical to claim the mantle of protectors of America when our president and his voluntarily "pliable" congress as they shamelessly fail to take action that would greatly DECREASE the cash flow to Middle Eastern governments (from "record" oil revenues associated with "record" oil prices); that would result from a "firm" commitment to alternative energy.

This pseudo-energy policy driven by petro-corporate/political alliances has, as oil reserves have become increasingly scarce, lead to a foreign policy, which drives America to "fight" to gain control of remaining substantial and accessible petroleum deposits predominantly centered in the "Strategically Vital" Middle- East.

There has been no effort to curb domestic demand through increased CAFE standards for example, even as China and India increasingly consume exponentially more of the worlds' petroleum resources as their economies grow... which likewise also is increasingly detrimental to the planetary climate/environment.

I will work to build a chorus of voices to drive America toward a new energy paradigm... NOW! Which will in turn lead to a new "Energy Economy" freeing up world capitol to move the world civilization forward and out of it's stagnant 19th century fossil fuel burning paradigm...

Remaining un-prodded the corporate driven political status quo will only lead to increasingly greater frequency and magnitude of conflict... over oil... and in the end famine and conflict over food and water.

Grassroots Support:

John Russell knows grassroots! Having evolved from a grassroots organizer himself, working with progressive organizations such as the I-4 Corridor group with Fred Williams... and Dean For America which is now Democracy For America... to promote progressive values...

John who has taken on as a citizen activist (sometimes at personal risk), the likes of Virginia Brown-Waite, Glenn Beck, Todd Schnitt, Jeb Bush, George W. Bush Katherine Harris, Karen Hughes, and others... some of them one on one and bested them all... John lives up to his motto... "Running To Serve You!"

In October 2005, John Russell was recognized as distinguished progressive candidate, in recognition of his grassroots efforts by AFSCME and NEWHOUSE PAC. John and Campaign Manager Jim Clarke were invited along with 17 other candidates from across the nation to the first ever "Congressional Boot Camp" where John met with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other leaders on the progressive front.

In September of 2005 John Russell competed in the first ever Democracy For America DFA-List Grassroots Congressional Candidate Competition finishing as the # ONE Progressive Congressional Candidate in Florida, and 19th of 58 candidates competing nationwide.

Fundamentally, the John Russell campaign to unseat CD 5 Rep. Virginia Brown-Waite is using a network campaign incorporating progressive oriented people from all political affiliations.

John Russell and his team which includes a retired state representative from New Hampshire, a Financial Planner and a former Congressional Candidate among others has been campaigning and recruiting volunteers continuously for the past 3 months as we collected petition cards from voters in the district to secure our place on the ballot... not one petition card of which was paid for. The youthful campaign manager for our chief primary opponent asked one of our volunteers..."How does John manage to get people to go out and work to get petition cards signed... without paying them?" I guess that he has much yet to learn...

Meanwhile, Campaign Manager Jim Clarke, a Professional Planner who had a major role in the revival of the Space Shuttle Program following the Challenger disaster, knows precisely what to do with the resources we have. The more resources we have, the better able we will be positioned to win the fight!

Jim Clarke knows exactly where... and how to use our campaign resources regardless of whether we are in a primary or... general election campaign...

People are our most important resource. Together with the dollars to equip our soldiers for their targeted tasks we will be successful.

The appeal of John Russell as an outspoken, knowledgeable and articulate candidate who is unafraid to take on the entrenched interests who have launched an all out assault on the middle classâ€| cannot be underestimated.

Our campaign is dependent on people generated from grassroots support for a candidate with the tenacity of a hockey player with unapologetically progressive positions on the issues, who is willing and able to get down in the trenches... and Fight for America.

DFA Values:

I am socially progressive related to my support of progressive economic and tax policies. I am the ONLY candidate in CD5 Florida who has the expert knowledge, experience and tenacity to lead the nation in concert with John Conyers and his Bill HR 676 to a successful transition to a Single Payer Universal Health Care System covering ALL Americans.

I am a protector of Women's Right to Reproductive Self-Determination. I support ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and support equal opportunity, both vocational and economic for ALL Americans, including those that are physically or mentally disabled.

I would seek to insure that Gay/Lesbian couples are entitled to the same legal rights under the law as married heterosexual couples. That is, I am a protector of Civil Rights for all. I would seek to further secure the separation of church and state and to increase through targeted legislation, the financial accountability of sectarian organizations and their direct and indirect involvement in political activity.

I have been and will continue to be actively involved in securing an election process that can be trusted as secure... principally through fighting for a universally implemented "Voter Verified Paper Ballot"

I have been and will continue to seek to ensure that pressure is brought to bear on state governments that continue to deny ex-felons who have successfully completed their sentence and probation, their complete restoration of Civil Rights including their Right to Vote.

I would seek to ensure that all Americans have access to a quality education, and in so doing seek to insure that No Child Left Behind is either Fully Funded or repealed. I oppose taxpayer funded private school vouchers. I would seek to fully fund Public Education as I believe that education is an investment in the future of our nation and is not a cost to be reduced in order to facilitate tax cuts for the financially well off.

I would support and author legislation targeted at ensuring that America lead the world in addressing Global Warming and environmental degradation through legislation encouraging Alternative Energy sources such as solar and wind, biomass, decentralized power generation and hydrogen as a means of weaning our dependency on foreign oil.

I would seek to ensure a less interventionist foreign policy.

I would also work to promote energy conservation through increased tax credits for investments in home and business energy efficiency.
Additionally, I would seek to roll back tax cuts for those earning in excess of $200,000 annually, while also supporting the strengthening of Social Security by removing the cap on FICA taxes currently set at $90,000. I would repeal the FICA tax on income for the first $10,000 of income making the FICA tax more progressive and fair for lower income workers.

I would support a Pay as You Go Budgeting Process...

I would seek to invest in America by revitalizing America's crumbling infrastructure leading to a stronger economy.