This... Is What July 4th Celebrates There is no benefit in being docile....
"It is the purest expression of Democratic principle to question those awarded the distinct honor of representing us, if only to attempt to keep them honest..." By Jim Hightower
 John Hancock's defiance. (Artwork: 1776web.com)
Agitators created America, and it's their feisty spirit and outright rebelliousness that we celebrate on our national holiday. Are you an agitator? You know, one of those people who won't leave well enough alone, who's always questioning authority and trying to stir things up. If so, the Powers That Be detest you -- you ... you ... and Me... "agitator!" They spit the term out as a pejorative to brand anyone who dares to challenge the established order. "Oh," they scoff, "our people didn't mind living next to that toxic waste dump until those environmental agitators got them upset." Corporate chieftains routinely wail that "our workers were perfectly happy until those union agitators started messing with their minds." In each case, the message is that America would be a fine country if only we could get rid of those pesky troublemakers who get the hoi polloi agitated about one thing or another. Bovine excrement. Were it not for agitators, we wouldn't even have an America. The Fourth of July would be just another hot day, we'd be singing "God Save the Queen," and our government officials would be wearing white-powdered wigs. Agitators created America, and it's their feisty spirit and outright rebelliousness that we celebrate on our national holiday. I don't merely refer to the Founders, either. Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, James Madison, Ben Franklin and the rest certainly were derring-do agitators when they wrote the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, creating the framework for a democratic republic. But they didn't actually create much democracy. In the first presidential election, only 4 percent of the people were even eligible to vote. No women allowed, no African Americans, no American Indians and no one who was landless. So, on the Fourth, it's neither the documents of democracy that we celebrate nor the authors of the documents. Rather, it's the intervening two-plus centuries of ordinary American agitators who have struggled mightily against formidable odds to democratize those documents. America's great rebellion didn't end with the British surrender at Yorktown. It was only getting started -- and the rebellion has moved through such great forces of agitation as the abolitionists and suffragists, Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass, the Populists and the Wobblies, Fighting Bob La Follette and Huey Long, the Square Deal and New Deal, Mother Jones and Woodie Guthrie, Rachel Carson and Ralph Nader, Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez -- and on into today's continuing fight for economic fairness, social justice and equal opportunity for all. Without agitators battling in politics, on the job, in the marketplace, for the environment, on Wall Street, in education, for civil liberties and rights, and all across our society, democratic progress doesn't just stall, it falls back. The Powers That Be -- especially America's overarching corporate and political forces (often the same) (Goldman Sachs/J. P. Morgan) -- give lip service to democracy, but tend toward plutocracy, autocracy and kleptocracy. They prefer (and often demand) that We the People be passive consumers of their economic and political policies. Don't rock the boat, stay in your place, go along to get along -- be quiet, they urge. "Be Docile..." J.R. Be quiet? Holy Thomas Paine! How could freedom-loving, democratic citizens shrink into quietude, especially when the Powers That Be feel so entitled to run roughshod over us? Even a dead fish can go with the flow. We've got to be livelier than that. July Fourth is a time to enjoy fireworks, flags, hotdogs, ballgames and such -- but it's also a time to remember who we are: agitators! It's not easy to stand against powerful interests. Sometimes it's lonely, and you get to feeling like the guy B.B. King sings about: "No one likes you but your momma, and she might be jiving you, too." It's not easy, but having those who dare to stand up is essential if our country is ever to achieve our ideals of fairness, justice and opportunity for all. And when the establishment derisively assails you as an agitator, remember this: The agitator is the center post in the washing machine that gets the dirt out. So do your homework and know the facts then... Head on over to a county commission meeting or make an appointment with your congressional representative, state senator or U.S. Senator and by all means ask questions. And if you do not get the right answers... Ask them again publicly and make sure you get them on film. Elected officials are elected by US... to represent US... NOT Big Money and Special Interests! J. R.Sent to www.whitehouse.gov/contact 3 June 2009 To: The Staff of The President... Please take a moment to review my health care plan. The link is provided here.... http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=35
There are seven sections involving problem analysis, proposed solutions with associated rationale for adopting, as well as benefits associated with adoption of my recommendations.
I, more than most people understand the inner workings of our current health care system as well as the "politics" of it.
NOW, Let me discuss the REAL PROBLEM w/ Health Care Reform...
The outrageous nature of the so-called debate on Health Care Reform by the "Body Politic" offers succinct corroboration of the duplicity of those who ARE "in charge" ...of managing the ship of state.
The President as a politician, is doing himself a great disservice by leaving Senator Baucus in charge. He should be summarily removed for incompetence, as well as ethical impairment related to his quite apparent affection for contributors of "certain industries" where a conflict of interest relative to Health Care Reform, is so patently obvious.
I would like to know just WHAT change in policy President Obama was talking about when he was campaigning, as compared to the "change" that I am observing presently, given his having taken office?
Mr. President, as a relative expert on this topic, the objective information is overwhelmingly in favor of a Single Payer/Public Option. There is NO valid rationale for continuing with the status quo!
The American system as it is currently structured and operates has evolved into Rube Goldberg Contraption... Squeezing EVERY LAST DIME of profit for itself, no matter the cost to the American people, health care providers and our economy..
Therefore, the ONLY reason for the President and Congress to knuckle under to the insurance/pharmaceutical/HMO industry is the Lobbyist's CHECKBOOK!
BTW, We ALSO MUST HAVE ELECTION/CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM Needs a couple of updates but just for good measure, Here's that link too!
http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=68
Mainstream America is waking up to this and HOW it effects them personally. I can tell you as well, that there are many of us who are well equipped to articulate the details, in order to broaden the public's understanding... that politicians of BOTH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES ARE BOUGHT and that nobody is representing us!
I look forward to your response. Thank you.
John Russell, MS/ARNP, MBA, Health Systems Management 2006-2008 Democratic Nominee, U.S. House, District 5, Florida
A Memorial Day Message 24 May 2009 President Obama
A point that has been lost as the war in Iraq is now in its 6th year, is that we as a people have become numb to the fact that... it continues! Iraq is no longer the dominant issue for most of America except for those families that "have some skin in the game." For the rest of us, Iraq has just evolved into an opaque asterisk in the daily white noise that is the news of the day. This is unacceptable. A friend of mine has just received orders to re-deploy in the next four months. WHAT IS THE PLAN?
I have actively opposed the mission so called in Iraq since before it began. The entire effort has been engineered by the political class backwards from the beginning. False evidence... Colin Powell snookered by a subordinate... this mission should NEVER have been initiated.
The proper FIRST engagement was to relentlessly pursue and defeat Al Quaeda in Afghanistan. Now we are going to escalate there a full decade after the fact? WHAT exactly IS the mission? Talking heads are not able to effectively convey it, and neither is Robert Gibbs or your Secretary of State!
Definitive objectives for Afghanistan must be defined with timeframes and benchmarks that are measurable before this mission is entered into just like any business endeavor. Look to history in this part of the world President Obama, the outcomes for foreign forces here is not one of success.
Since 2002, our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan have been paying the ultimate price that is by most accounts at this point, well beyond measure. President Obama, the entire basis of your campaign was based on your opposition to the invasion of Iraq from its outset. You campaigned on "change" yet so little has changed on the Iraq foreign/military policy front as to be I'm certain, extremely disconcerting to your most fervent supporters.
President Obama please stand up!
The Iraqi people have spoken repeatedly that they want our troops to depart.
A Message of Thanks from John Russell 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
November 9, 2008 Contact: Chyrisse Tabone-Russell, 352-567-1618 A Note of Thanks It has been my great pleasure to once again carry the banner of the Democratic Party in 2008 to attempt to wrest away from the Republicans Florida's 5th District Congressional seat. Even with television and radio commercials, I was unable to secure anywhere near the number of votes necessary to defeat the republican incumbent. I waited until now to send you this message because I wanted to let the dust settle and be able to give you an idea as to why the results were not as we had hoped. I am grateful for the confidence and generosity demonstrated by my key supporters and volunteers who enabled my campaign to present my message more effectively than ever. Special thanks to my wonderful wife Chyrisse, Jerry Cox, Patsy Schafchuk and many others across the district and elsewhere who helped make our campaign for legitimate representation in congress possible. The fact is Congressional District 5 with over 433,000 votes cast in 2008 by far and away harbors the largest congressional district voter population while also being one of the largest districts geographically in the state of Florida. These factors alone represent a deterrent for any challenger. Factually speaking, the over 168,000 votes cast for me would have been sufficient to win several other congressional seats in the state, in addition to very nearly being enough to win several others. Central Florida Voters A review of central Florida voting patterns in the 2008 general election can lead to but one conclusion… previously red areas became dramatically more red, and blue areas were transformed to a deeper shade of blue. Virtually every West Central Florida congressional district race in 2008 had diminished performance for the Democrat as compared to 2006 (2-5pt range), with the exception of two Orlando races where Grayson and Kosmas prevailed. It is quite apparent that being a democrat is in fact detrimental to successfully winning a race for elective office in not only the 5th congressional district, but in several other West Central Florida districts held by republican incumbents as well. This may not be pleasant to hear, but throughout the entire 5th congressional district you can now count the number of elected democrats to any office on one hand and have several fingers left over. Contributing Factors It is my conclusion that this phenomenon is systemic across certain defined voting populations concentrated in this region whose attributes include inherent and entrenched sociological /cultural attitudes. Such predispositions are significant across all party registrations of the voting population, buoyed by a media largely predisposed toward advocacy of incumbents no matter their flaws/inadequacies. Entrenched cultural/sociological mindsets override rational consideration of personal economic circumstances in a period of worsening overall economic decline that includes: skyrocketing home foreclosures and record unemployment; plunging financial markets; inaccessibility of affordable quality health care; lack of educational opportunity for their children; as well as skyrocketing costs for basic necessities. In conclusion, when the voting population has little or no appreciation for factual information and is therefore predisposed more toward belief based or party loyal voter decision-making, there is no rational role for persuasive discourse. Given the considerations noted above, it is unlikely that any candidate irrespective of background or funding would be able to unseat any republican in this district no matter how poor performing or corrupt. Going forward, I will watch closely with you the proceedings as we transition to the Obama administration. I am concerned that the Obama administration will not live up to the expectations of his supporters who so enthusiastically voted him into office. I will continue to actively participate in the political realm as I see fit, and will not hesitate to criticize as well as offer solutions. I am of the opinion that the rough times we are now experiencing will continue to plague us. It is up to all of us to continue to pay attention and hold our elected officials to account.
John Russell 2008 Democratic Nominee, Congressional District 5 Florida Link to "Lakeland Ledger" endorsement http://www.theledger.com/article/20081030/NEWS/810300342&tc=email_newsletter Accountability Let's repeat the facts over and over.
The national debt is now growing $3.45 billion a day. The total national debt is now $10.334 trillion.On Jan 1, 2003 the national debt was $6.45 trillion. The national debt has grown $3.884 trillion or 60% in Ginny's three short two year terms. Today, each citizen's share of this debt is $33,930.52.
Brown-Waite is a Member of the following House Committees: 1) Committee on Financial Services 2) Subcommittee on Capital Markets Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises 3) Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit. The committees listed above are the committees most directly responsible for overseeing the very financial institutions that have thrown the world economy into crisis. Specifically, during Brown-Waite's tenure, the completely unregulated $60 trillion dollar credit default insurance market has grown from almost nothing to being a threat that could destroy banks worldwide if it were not for government stepping in to fix what Brown-Waite gormlessly allowed to go wrong. No wonder she doesn't want to debate. No wonder she hopes she's never called to account for her official performance in office so far. No wonder she is thankful that the press is giving her a bye on these issues. Accountability requires that somebody hold her accountable and require her to answer for the facts of her performance in office. Since neither broadcast media or the newspapers are stepping up to the plate, it will be you the voter as an individual who will hold her to account for her performance in the privacy of the voting booth.
Press Release
For Immediate Release For Immediate Release 28 September 2008
Contact Person: Chyrisse Tabone-Russell, Communications Director John Russell for Congress Campaign Tel: 352-567-1618 e-mail: campaign@johnrussellforcongress.com Wall Street Bailout Must Be Subject to Conditions
Fundamentally in consideration of any bailout, America must protect the financial integrity of taxpayers while also ensuring that appropriate and routine credit access and availability at reasonable price points is re-established.
America must not rush into any agreement without first validating the nature of the evolving constrictions on credit availability. We are not even absolutely certain this bailout is necessary or will even be effective in fulfilling its loosely stated goals. More detailed information must be made available to not only the congress but the general public as well.
As a former financial advisor (Series 7 and 63 license), and after having spoken with several financial experts, listened to numerous economic pundits both on television and radio, considered the comments by leaders on both sides of the aisle, and having read the analysis of the current situation by several leading economists, I have arrived at some important conclusions that should define the guiding principles of any bailout measure agreed to by the Congress and approved by the President. Therefore, the principles listed below I believe provide a more comprehensive basis for securing our economy, not only in the current crisis, but going forward as well.
In addition, the American people must learn conclusively just how we arrived at this point in order that we never visit this place again. Consequently, it is imperative that prompt investigation be part of any arrangement with decisive prosecution and punitive actions taken in order to deter future illegal behavior and ensure that the wrong-doers do not profit from their criminal actions.
Below are my recommended principles that should be part of any bailout. · Require that companies benefiting from the bailout be prohibited from giving so-called "golden parachutes" to executives and have rules to revoke bonuses awarded based on mis-stated economic performance claims. Executives at any level must be subject to suspension or revocation of their securities credentials as well as substantial fines and/or criminal charges and prosecution as appropriate.
· There must be funds allocated for investigation and prosecution of those involved in the fraudulent activities perpetrated that caused this crisis. The probe would be defined to include everyone from loan officer to the mortgage underwriter to the CEO's of major investment and mortgage banking firms as well as government regulators. Below are some links that describe some issues of fraud which lead to this crisis.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/top-stories/story/689469.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/mortgage/brokers.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/mortgage/originators.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/mortgage/probe.html
· No individual is too important to be prosecuted. Legal efforts must be undertaken immediately to protect critical information. Computer hard drives, electronic as well as paper documents must be secured by appropriate government enforcement agencies on an immediate basis with prosecutorial and enforcement actions publicly stated regarding those who might consider destroying evidence.
· The plan must set defined quantitative parameters that establish what bad assets would be subject to bailout as part of this governmental “investment.”
· Any agreement must allow the government to take an equity stake in participating companies to share in future profits. The purchase price as was suggested by Warren Buffett must be at the current market price not some price above current market. This price has been established by sales of “distressed” assets already sold.
· This burden cannot fall entirely on taxpayers. I agree with the proposed reinstating of a small surcharge (equal to one quarter of one percent) on all stock trades as well as on more exotic financial transactions. Such a proposal, which is similar to one that already exists on the London Exchange, would offset the cost to taxpayers by raising approximately $150 billion a year and should be directed toward the U. S. Treasury.
· Require that the government draft a plan to renegotiate the mortgages it acquires to help homeowners avoid foreclosure as well as those who may already be in the process of foreclosure.
· Put in place as part of the plan a mechanism for bankruptcy judges to re-negotiate sub-prime mortgages with outrageous adjustment terms which are set to adjust in 2009-10; Thus allowing judges to revise terms that may avert foreclosure which in turn will also assist in stabilizing the market over the longer term.
· Allow judges to rewrite the terms of homeowners' mortgages currently in foreclosure as a means of keeping these people in their homes.
· Create a bipartisan congressional oversight panel to scrutinize the rescue program and subject it to court review.
· Limit the program to financial institutions with "significant operations" in the United States and exclude foreign central banks and companies owned by foreign governments.
· Require that a parallel bill with timeframe for completion be required to re-regulate the financial markets, that is a contemporary Glass Steagall bill to re-institute constraints on the market to prevent further eruptions in the future.
The most recently announced so called pending arrangement of placing Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley as recipients of approximately 350 Billion dollars initially, and as overseers in the bailout arrangement should give rise to questions: such as were they involved in the mortgage fraud which caused this crisis, should they be a recipient of or in control of the bailout funding, would consolidating this power in their hands give us another firm or two that like AIG is “too big to fail.” Americans cannot rush down a path again which will likely set us up for an even more disastrous fall in the future. These issues must be addressed.
While it is important to ask questions after the fact, in economics/finance as in medicine, it is much more beneficial to be actively engaged, asking the questions that might have prevented a crisis, be it medical or economic, from happening in the first place.
Having the knowledge as well as the courage and willingness to ask the important questions in a quiet meeting early on may not get you any publicity but such initiative may contribute to the collective well-being of a nation a thousand fold as opposed to grandstanding… after the fact.
Thank you. John Russell Announcement of Candidacy On 5 May 2008 I formally announced my candidacy for U.S. Representative, District 5 Florida. I am running for Congress because those who are charged with representing my interests and the interests of my neighbors clearly are not. Corporate America has tremendous representation while those who work have no voice. I made this decision because I saw declining fortunes for working people across this nation and even worse so for the people of my community. I watched as the Congress remained paralyzed by partisonship and most disappointing, a distinct lack of "spine" on the part of Democrats who were elected in 2006 to both end the war and in so doing reverse the declining fortunes of middle America. Sadly the war continues with no end in sight and middle America struggles with a cost structure that is spiraling out of control because of the "foreign" borrowing to fund it. The people of the Fifth Congressional District many of whom get by on the fixed income of retirement including Veterans, have had to make increasingly difficult personal finance decisions. Retirees who thought that they were in good shape financially in planning their retirement, now find themselves distressed and wondering which way to turn. There is no question that to continue on the same path that we have been on for the past six years is not tenable. A change in direction is what is required and we all know that Ginny Brown-Waite is not capable of that. She has worked her way up through the system well beyond what the "Peter Principle" should allow with a record the likes of which one would expect. While the value of our currency plummets and prices rise accordingly… would it not be nice if wages rose together with prices so that folks could stay even, but as we all know, they do not… So… What has our representative accomplished to improve the lives of her constituents in the past two years? Four years? Six years? Brown-Waite's record is clear and there will be no dancing away from Bush... no "evolving" as she pretended to do in 2006... There will be nothing of the sort in 2008.
The American middle class is being crushed by policies put in place or expanded over the past eight years that can only be alleviated by a change of representation in congress. To facilitate policy incurs accountability as well as responsibility and I intend to hold her to account on the issues important to those she has purported to represent. Ginny Brown-Waite having achieved national notoriety by making out of touch embarrassing comments, sarcastic retorts and assorted other political shenanigans has not provided solutions to the problems experienced by our citizens. Issue oriented leadership however, based on foresight arising from thoughtful analysis and a "fiduciary" level of responsibility to constituents will. Voters will have two choices this fall. More of the same... for those who feel that they can "afford" more of the same... vs A necessary change in direction away from the status quo, for those who feel that they have had enough. When you honor me with your vote I will express my gratification in one simple way... I will respond fairly and honestly to your concerns no matter your political party or whether you were a supporter of mine or not. No matter your heritage, color or creed you will be accepted and addressed as simply a neighbor in need. We are all Americans and I honor your sacred vote with my solemn intention to represent ALL citizens with equal attention and vigor. This in contrast to the congresswoman's political featherbedding in leading the congress in taxpayer funded mailings, (2006 $130,000+ and 2007 ($172,000), most of which were gratuitous in nature; I hear people speak of foreclosure, declines in business and the rising cost of homeowners insurance, health care and… everything else for those on fixed incomes, while hearing and seeing nada from our "salaried" representative.
While the congresswoman hands out commemorative coins with her likeness on them to a few carefully selected Veterans, I receive emails from disgruntled Veterans unhappy with the state of Veteran's affairs and pending legislation that would further inhibit their ability to access their well-earned and promised benefits. Where is their advocate?
Washington is broken and the people recognize that incumbents must be held accountable in 2008. Working Americans will elect candidates in 2008 that offer concrete solutions to their problems. As was the case in 2006, I will again offer real world solutions that will benefit the people that live in District 5, not large corporations. My plans will be detailed, rational and understandable for District 5 voters to consider.
I will continue the process of updating my website to accurately reflect the issues as they have evolved since 2006.
The theme underlying my candidacy will not change, as in fact all that was important in 2006, has only become more relevant and more acute in 2008. If you feel that you have had enough... I will offer you the choice that you are looking for in 2008. For all others ask yourself this question... "How much more of this can I afford to take?" In 2008, I again ask the citizens of Congressional District 5 …
"Are You Better Off?" "Have You… Had Enough?"
I humbly ask you for your support and your vote... Thank you. John Russell
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