John Russell's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
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John Russell has demonstrated Political Courage by telling citizens where he stands on the issues he may face if elected.
Florida Congressional Election 2012 Political Courage Test
| Pro-choice | Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? | ||
| My goal continues to encompass the tearing down of all barriers - cultural, financial and informational - in order to ensure that everyone can access quality, affordable health care services through my continuing advocacy for a National Medicare for ALL Health Care Plan. In my opinion, both as a citizen and a Health Care Provider (ARNP) such access should include safe and effective family planning to include the Full Spectrum of OB/GYN procedures and services. See my Women's Health Policy at http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=41 | |||
| No | Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan? | ||
| Yes | Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan? | ||
| There was a rationale for the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, but after the killing of bin Laden there is none, aside from facilitating the corporate control/access to known mineral wealth there. The combined Iraq/Afghan operation's total cost approaches Four Trillion. The time for a U.S. Military managed/prompt exit is NOW! | |||
Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing the federal budget.In order to balance the budget,
| Yes | do you support reducing defense spending? | ||
| Yes | do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? | ||
| No | do you support reducing Medicaid spending? | ||
| No | do you support reducing Medicare spending? | ||
| Yes | Is balancing the budget a legislative priority? | ||
| Congress must re-allocate national spending priorities toward investment in the future. Balanced budgets will naturally result from appropriate priorities. That means a BIG picture approach of shared investment/reward. Defense allocation must be brought in line with what must be decreased foreign policy commitments. Transition Medicaid into Medicare, made fiscally sound through enrollment of citizens of all ages in Medicare for All. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=78 Revenue increased through nominal increases in marginal tax rates for those earning over $250,000 annually. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=54 Preserve Social Security by increasing cap subject to FICA to $10,000,000 while making first $12,000 free from FICA tax. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=85 | |||
| Yes | Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions? | ||
| As a member of Move to Amend I continue to advocate for repeal of Citizens United and comprehensive Federal Campaign Finance Reform. I am personally endorsed by David Cobb. I will advocate for Federal legislation duplicating appropriate aspects of the Seattle Initiative Measure 103. Initiative 103 calls for the elimination of corporate personhood and judge-created "constitutional rights," bans corporate spending on elections and corporate lobbying except in open forums and closes the revolving door between public officials and corporations. For details http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=84 | |||
| Yes | Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes? | ||
| I support capital punishment only in very limited circumstances where the crime is particularly heinous and the evidence is irrefutable. Capitol punishment criteria would for example include mass murder and political assassination. As capital punishment would apply only in limited circumstances, much of the associated cost and errors in application would be resolved. Accordingly, I would recommend that these revised standards be used to evaluate those currently on death row nationwide to determine their eligibility for capital punishment. Death row inmates who did not meet the revised standard for capitol punishment would then be committed to life without parole. | |||
| Yes | Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? | ||
| Yes | Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation? | ||
| Yes | Do you support spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the temporary extension of unemployment benefits? | ||
| No | Do you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief? | ||
| I will advocate for targeted federal expenditures to expand our economy on infrastructure, facilitating transition to renewable energy/energy grid re-design to incorporate decentralized power generation/distribution, expanded broadband and public transportation. Expanded employment will result secondary to this plan. I support partnering with business to achieve macro-economic goals. I will advocate for nominally increased marginal tax rates for those earning over $250,000 http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=89 I will advocate for repeal of Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act thus restoring Glass-Steagall as well as repeal of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act which together will restore integrity to Wall Street. See also http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=54 | |||
| Yes | Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants? | ||
| [Candidate entered "YES" in very large letters] I would agree with requiring states to implement education reforms with the stipulation that we reform education in a fashion that actually improves outcomes. America is not number one in education. Finland is number one in the world yet we continue to ignore their success perhaps because their program is antithetical to ours in how teachers are prepared, compensated, and respected. The Finnish methodology relies on cooperation rather than competition. My goal is to ensure that all children have access to affordable quality education and career preparation. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=55 | |||
| No | Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production? | ||
| [big "NO"] I will advocate for policies that accelerate the transition to alternative energy. Germany currently derives 20% of its energy from solar while here in Florida the legislature has placed a "waste energy tax" on excess electricity that could be sold into the grid. The alternative energy options are available now to decrease reliance on fossil fuels, however the policy to facilitate transition is unavailable because politicians are beholden to utility interests. Thousands of jobs are in the balance. I will advocate for stricter regulation of offshore production by advocating for increased funding and accountability of regulatory agencies. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=53 | |||
| Yes | Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? | ||
| Reputable scientists agree that the activities of man are contributing to changes in climate that exceed normal variations. Coal fired power plants must install carbon dioxide scrubbers and should be replaced by cleaner gas fired plants. I will advocate for investigation of the safety of techniques used in hydraulic fracking. Water resources are coming under pressure from increased demand and as such, they must be protected. Nuclear power must be replaced by renewable alternatives. Crystal River is a Fukishima in waiting due to stored fuel including a hot core, which should be moved to safer location. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=91 | |||
| No | Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns? | ||
| Current laws are adequate. As recent events have demonstrated, it is extremely difficult to ascertain who is a risk and who is not. Most often it seems the mass murderer is a loner with little or no prior criminal record who does not discuss his motives with others. There is no law against being a loner. There is no simple answer for gun violence. The majority of gun related deaths are by suicide, while annual deaths by gun violence are exceeded by motor vehicle deaths. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=65 | |||
| No | Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act? | ||
| Yes | Should individuals be required to purchase health insurance, as mandated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act? | ||
| Health Insurance should only be mandatory if the Health Exchange offers an option of enrolling in Medicare irrespective of age. As a nurse Practitioner (ARNP-C), who deals with issues of insurance on a daily basis, Medicare is the preferred payment source for providers and patients alike. No corporate bureaucrats between you and your doctor. Health insurance companies have legions of staff between you and your doctor. The comprehensive Medicare for All Plan that I envision is affordable, fiscally sound and efficient. Premiums would be priced according to your taxable income, thus making comprehensive coverage universally affordable. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=78 | |||
| Yes | Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? | ||
| Yes | Do you support allowing illegal immigrants, who were brought to the United States as minors, to pursue citizenship without returning to their country of origin? | ||
| No | Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police? | ||
| I support the Dream Act. In 2007 I spoke with Hillsborough County Sheriff Gee on the subject of immigration enforcement which he was against because it was costly for his department while ICE agents did not follow through. I have a comprehensive fair-minded policy on Federal Immigration Reform, which levies large fines against employers who continue to violate various laws by employing undocumented immigrants illegally. I will advocate for increased funding to stop human trafficking, a big problem in Central Florida. I have developed fair reasonable guidelines for dealing with long established law abiding undocumented persons. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=62 | |||
| No | Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict? | ||
| No | Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon? | ||
| America is in violation of international law when we hold people indefinitely without charge or assassinate political figures. As the most powerful nation on earth militarily we must follow the rule of law that we were instrumental in developing. The youthful Iranian population loves America, it is the leadership that is the problem. Iran has a real military. I will advocate against attacking Iran. America must hold all parties in the Middle East equally accountable. I will advocate repeal of Section 1021-22 of the NDAA and the Military Commissions Act. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=57 | |||
| No | Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts? | ||
| Wall Street cannot be trusted with your 401K. There are no pensions. My goal is to strengthen, and expand the role of Social Security as a means of protecting Americans of moderate means in their senior years. The program will be more progressive by exempting the first $12,000 of income from FICA deductions, while removing the current $106,000 cap on earnings (earned and unearned income) subject to FICA immediately to $10,000,000 and over the next 8 years increasing to $50,000,000. My plan would include age related exemptions to protect supplemental retiree income from unfair taxation. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=85 | |||
SpendingIndicate what federal spending levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.
| Greatly Decrease | a) Agriculture | ||
| Maintain Status | b) Arts | ||
| Greatly Decrease | c) Defense | ||
| Greatly Increase | d) Education | ||
| Maintain Status | e) Environment | ||
| Greatly Decrease | f) Homeland Security | ||
| Greatly Decrease | g) International aid | ||
| Maintain Status | h) Medical Research | ||
| Greatly Increase | i) Scientific Research | ||
| Slightly Increase | j) Space exploration | ||
| Maintain Status | k) United Nations | ||
| Slightly Increase | l) Welfare | ||
| Greatly Increase | a) Capital gains taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | b) Corporate taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | c) Excise taxes (alcohol) | ||
| Maintain Status | d) Excise taxes (cigarettes) | ||
| Maintain Status | e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel) | ||
| Greatly Decrease | f) Income taxes (low-income families) | ||
| Greatly Decrease | g) Income taxes (middle-income families) | ||
| Greatly Increase | h) Income taxes (high-income families) | ||
| Greatly Increase | i) Inheritance taxes | ||
| Greatly Decrease | j) Payroll taxes | ||
| Budgets are about allocating a fixed set of resources according to a dynamic set of priorities. America has budget problems because priorities have been skewed because policy has been purchased as a result of the quid pro quo of our political system where BIG money reigns supreme. We have gas watered down with alcohol for no reason other than its benefit economically to mid-western farmers. Now food costs more! We have mass unemployment because Corporate America has bought policy (i.e. NAFTA ) that makes moving manufacturing overseas profitable. I will advocate for balanced budget priorities. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=54 | |||
| Billionaire Investment Capitalist Nick Hanauer wants his income taxes increased, as do Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. Nobel Prize winning economists such as Joseph Stiglitz, Paul Krugman and Jeffrey Sachs all are advocating that we realign our tax system by restoring a measure of equity. While these eminent people are Nobel Price winners, what they are espousing is basic macro-economic policy. America has a crisis of demand. People that need a new washer do not have the money to buy it. We must find a way to increase aggregate quality of employment and incomes. Policy here. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=89 | |||
| A fundamental difference exists between the competition and myself, in that I have comprehensive solutions to America's problems as well as the demonstrated fortitude to advocate for them. I will strengthen the economy by advocating for Economic/Tax policy that increases the quality of employment/incomes. My Variable Labor Cost Tariff on Imported Goods (See Website) is one mechanism to keep quality American jobs here. I will strengthen Medicare through my Medicare for All Plan option to increase affordable access to comprehensive healthcare. I will Strengthen Social Security by dramatically lifting the cap on earnings subject to FICA. http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/default.asp |
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