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Hernando Today

John Russell: Warrior For Peace

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By FRANCES EARL, Call to Patriots

Hernando Today

Published: August 14, 2008

"People all over the District thought that between their pensions and Social Security, they would have a more comfortable retirement, but their investments are down and costs are through the roof. Career politicians were in charge as this deterioration has occurred, with Ginny Brown-Waite as a quintessential example, and they must bear responsibility."
Those were the words that began my conversation with John Russell, candidate for U.S. Congress, District 5, in Florida.
Against the act of aggression in Iraq from day one, Russell also pointed out that along with the many dead as a result of this "war" we must also understand it was financed with money borrowed mostly from Asia which led to a devaluation of our dollar and a previously unheard of deficit.
He firmly agrees with Obama's 16-month withdrawal plan with the U.S. then providing logistical and material support as part of the transition to a sovereign Iraq security presence.
On energy, Russell agrees with T. Boone Pickens that "this is a problem we cannot drill our way out of." Brown-Waite has done nothing to support new energy development but continues to support tax giveaways to "Big Oil" and granting yet more leases to drill off our coasts instead of drilling where they already have 68 million acres of leases that have not yet been drilled.
Russell says America must "provide tax incentives to producers and consumers to encourage a move away from fossil fuels toward Hydrogen hybrids, electric cars, wind and solar energy."
As I asked him about the economy, he pointed out it is dependent on diminishing our deficit spending, "which as we move forward with departure from Iraq will result in a strengthening of our dollar and decrease prices for consumers for energy and food. I also propose a return to making credit card interest tax deductible on Federal Income Tax, since resorting to credit card use has been the way some families have survived and now find themselves unable to get out of debt. Regulation of the banking industry was a lesson we learned from the Great Depression and should be restored".
Russell proposes a National Health Care Plan similar to the plan proposed by former candidate John Edwards, offering an affordable pathway to a Single Payer Plan through a Medicare-for-all plan that also allows individuals who wish to retain their private health insurance that option as well. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., Russell has been a resident of Dade City since 1995. While having professional experience in a number of areas including finance and business, he has spent the greatest part of his career focused in health care. He has a master's degree in Health Systems Management and a master's in nursing and is a certified acute care nurse practitioner. Russell was married this past Saturday, Aug. 9, in New Orleans.
Brown-Waite voted against mandatory funding for the Veterans Administration. She voted against price negotiation on behalf of Medicare Part D, siding with the pharmaceutical companies. She votes for giving oil companies tax subsidies to build their refineries while they are reporting obscene profits. Brown-Waite voted against children, saying no to consumer safety measures to prevent lead paint on toys from China and voted against SCHIP health care for children. Russell said:
"This election is about people suffering because of poor policy enacted by incumbents. We desperately need change."
Russell is seen by some as "too brash" and "not Congressional."
Well, perhaps we are in the mess we are in because we continue to elect those who want to go along to get along, so that when they go to Congress they spend their time trying to fit in and be popular and forget what the people told them they wanted them to vote for once elected. One thing I definitely know about Russell, from a long association, is that he is a fighter for the people, a fighter for morality and fairness, a warrior for peace and for the middle class.
He's watched people being admitted to a hospital when their illness has progressed to the point that they will be affected all their lives because of previous denials for medical treatment by some insurance clerk. Brown-Waite knows this is happening, but pretends ignorance, that is until election time comes around and she "evolves." If I know of these things and Russell knows, why is it believable that Brown-Waite does not know until it finally comes out in the press? She knows folks; she just doesn't care as long as you and I don't find out about it!
Maybe we need someone "brash" enough to stick to his guns and vote for your interests, instead of caving in. You have a choice in 2008 and that choice will be for the better if you vote for Russell for U.S. Congress, District 5.

Frances Earl, former vice chairwoman of the Hernando County Democratic Executive Committee, can be contacted at fearl@tampabay.rr.com.

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