Russell promises fresh start in 12th District (PA-12 Republican Primary)

Indiana Gazette ^ | 4-10-2010 | Sam Kusic

[smoothsailing]

Russell promises fresh start in 12th District

By SAM KUSIC

Saturday, April 10, 2010 8:07

Late Congressman John P. Murtha was a veritable industry unto himself, bringing in millions of dollars worth of earmarks for the 12th Congressional District.

But should Johnstown Republican Bill Russell be elected, he won't try to replicate Murtha's federal funding feats. It couldn't be done anyway, he said.

``Everything he brought in was brought in by his force of personality. Nobody can repeat that, and so it's going to require a new vision,'' said Russell.

Russell, who met with The Indiana Gazette editorial board on Friday, is seeking a two-year term to the seat Murtha once occupied.

Russell is a retired lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Army Reserves. He served nearly 30 years on active and reserve duty, completing tours in the first and second wars in Iraq and in Kosovo.

Russell attended West Point, graduated with a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and earned a commission through the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga.

Russell said Friday that in his vision for southwestern Pennsylvania and the 12th District, the area would achieve prosperity - and help the nation achieve energy independence - by capitalizing on its coal and natural gas reserves.

``We need to depart from the past,'' he said. ``Instead of worrying about getting earmarks from (Washington, D.C.), we need to focus on getting D.C. out of our way to let us develop our natural resources.''

He said western Pennsylvania is sitting on some of the greatest energy resources in the country.

``If we could service just 5 percent of our national (energy) demand that we're sending overseas every year, that would be $350 billion in real wealth,'' he said.

But for that to happen, Russell said the federal government needs to allow states to chart their own courses when it comes to decisions on energy development and the environment.

Of course, one vote alone in Congress isn't enough to move policy decisions. But Russell said that's where he has an advantage.

He said he and 20 or so other like-minded combat veterans running for Congress have formed a caucus. He said they believe energy independence is both a critical national security issue and an economic security issue.

On another front, Russell said he would like to end Medicare as it is, though he said the government must ``fund and complete the contract'' for those on Medicare now and those who are close to being enrolled.

But in the future, were it up to him, he said he would offer individuals a $1,000-per-month voucher to be used to pay for a private health insurance plan. He said that would force insurers to compete and would allow people to choose a plan that best suits them.

He also said he would institute tort reform to reduce frivolous lawsuits and exorbitant pain-and-suffering awards. Tort reform, he said, would reduce the cost of care by reducing the cost of medical malpractice insurance.

Another area Russell said the government ought to stay out of is the economy. Were he in office at the time, he said he would not have voted for the government bailouts. Russell said that in the long run, he believes the country would have been better off if the troubled banks had been allowed to fail.

``If instead we had simply let those banks fail, people would have stepped in and bought up those as-sets at the appropriate time, and the market would recover much more quickly,'' he said. ``We've bailed out people who have mismanaged their funds, and we continue to throw money at their problem rather than let them be accountable for their bad decisions.''

Russell also said he favors scrapping the federal tax code, ditching all the taxes in place now and replacing it with a national sales tax.

``That gets everybody who participates in our economy to pay their fair share whether they're here legally or illegally.'' He said a national sales tax ultimately would lower the cost of U.S. exports, allowing American products to better compete in other places in the world.

In terms of foreign policy, Russell said people may debate whether the country should have invaded Iraq, but regardless of whether it was the right or wrong thing to do, America is there and in Afghanistan now, and it must stay, he said.

``We have no choice but to stay and win and finish the fight.''

[smoothsailing]

SUPPORT BILL RUSSELL IN THE MAY 18th PA-12 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

LtCol William T. Russell - FOB Midway, Ad-Daluyah Provence - Fall 2004

I am a conservative. I believe in the sovereignty and security of this one nation, under God. I believe in the sanctity of life and that life begins at conception. I believe in marriage between one man and one woman. I believe that all children in our school systems should be educated in English and taught the civic duties and responsibilities of citizenship and patriotism. I believe that we have the responsibility and obligation to control our borders and determine who is allowed to live and work in our country. I believe in private property rights and that the death tax should be killed. I believe government economic policies should reward those who build business or save and invest their money. I believe in the right to bear arms and the right of self defense. I believe in rugged individualism and that no one owes me anything just because I live and breathe. I believe we should all practice charity in some form or fashion, especially to those who are suffering and least fortunate. But charity must be voluntary and spring from a spirit of altruism and love for your neighbor. I believe that imposed systems of wealth redistribution destroy families, produce a culture of dependence and hurt everyone. Finally, I believe there is room to acknowledge the role of our Creator in public life as stated in the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. ---Bill Russell in his own words .

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"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." --President Ronald Reagan

GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN ENDORSES COMBAT VETERANS FOR CONGRESS PAC

Tue, 03/30/2010

Real-life American Heroes Ready and Willing to Serve in Congress

(LOS ANGELES, CA March 30, 2010) "Governor Sarah Palin has endorsed Combat Veterans For Congress," announced, Congressman Barry M. Goldwater, Reverge Anselmo, and Capt. Joseph R. John, co-founders of the Combat Veterans For Congress PAC.

Palin in her endorsement statement of Combat Veterans For Congress said: "...this week I'd ask you to join me in supporting a new generation of heroes who are heeding their country's call for leadership in Washington."

Palin goes on to say, "There are a number of great veteran candidates running for office this year, and there are some excellent organizations dedicated to helping them, including Combat Veterans For Congress. I believe that these great veterans will fight for us in D.C. to uphold and defend our Constitution as courageously in the halls of Congress as they did on the field of battle.

"I'm so honored to offer my support to these American heroes, and I hope you'll join me in helping them so that they can serve us all in Washington. America, if you love your freedom, thank a Vet! And if you're looking for leaders who believe in integrity, service, and country first, look to our Veterans," concludes Palin.

[smoothsailing]

BILL RUSSELL FOR CONGRESS PING!!!

[Clintonfatigued]

I thought that Tim Burns was the nominee.

[jazusamo]

Good interview of Bill Russell by the Indiana Gazette editorial board.

Thanks for posting, Smooth.

HOME...|...BILL RUSSELL...|...VOLUNTEER...|...ISSUES...|...NEWS...|...EVENTS...|...DONATE

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Contact me to be added to ping list.

[smoothsailing]

I thought that Tim Burns was the nominee.

Just for the special election. In the special election he's running against a Democrat and a Libertarian.

[Willie Green]

Russell also said he favors scrapping the federal tax code, ditching all the taxes in place now and replacing it with a national sales tax.

Coal is going to make a comeback in Western Pa???,
And people in Johnstown are gonna vote for a 30% Sales Tax???

ROTFLMAO!

Russell should run on the Libertarian ticket because the pathetic loser must be smoking dope.

[smoothsailing]

You’re always entertaining, Willie. Will you be coming home to vote or are you now registered in Texas?

[Badray]

I won;t vote for Russell, but only because I am not in that district. If I was, I would surely vote for him. I’d move, but I’ve got to work on replacing Altmire.

[Willie Green]

I vote in Texas, but I still follow Western Pa politics with interest.

The Pa GOP already has a candidate to replace Murtha: Tim Burns. Russell should take his kooky ideas to the libertarian party so he doesn't embarrass the GOP and Tim Burns chances of winning.

[Tribune7]

ping

[smoothsailing]

I vote in Texas

Good.

The Pa GOP already has a candidate to replace Murtha: Tim Burns.

Only in the special election, Willie, where he was selected, not elected. None of that has anything to do with the Republican Primary, which is what this thread is about.

[haircutter]

well willie...you are not in Pennsylvania...so we won’t consider your advice...

Bill Russell is a man of honor and courage and he is a fighter who hasn’t given up on PA.

I live right on the border of District 12, but Russell has our total support, and I like his ‘kooky’ ideas. as for T. Burns, he was choose, now let him run on his ideas...bet they are ‘kooky’.

[smoothsailing]

I’ve got to work on replacing Altmire.

I like Mary Beth Buchanan, I don't know much about Rothfus.

[Badray]

Buchanan is a hack without solid core values or lacks the courage of her convictions. When she first presented herself at a 9/12 meeting she sounded good until the questioning started. She ‘lawyered up’ and couldn’t give a straight answer on anything. Rothfus is better, but not as strong as I’d like.

They are both lawyers that worked for the government. Two strikes on each. Her bad performance was her third strike.

[Rome2000]

He said he and 20 or so other like-minded combat veterans running for Congress have formed a caucus.

Well, if the marxists over at the Congressional "Progressive" Caucus can form one, and in broad daylight no less, certainly combat veterans can do so as well.

[Willie Green]

well willie...you are not in Pennsylvania...so we won’t consider your advice...
I live right on the border of District 12, but Russell has our total support,

Russell is just a carpetbagger anat, looking for an easy ticket out of Johnstown to get back to the DC Beltway.
And I'm guessing that you're a short-time Pa resident as well, who thinks Christmas should be called "Sparkle Season" and that the 'Bugh has some kind of highway called the "Parkway North".

Those of us who were born and raised in the area just shake our heads and laugh at such silliness.

Russell is burnt toast.
He doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning Murtha's old district.
The GOP is better off with Burns. And that's why Burns got the endorsement.

[Willie Green]

Only in the special election, Willie, where he was selected, not elected. None of that has anything to do with the Republican Primary, which is what this thread is about.

Well the Pa GOP knew what they were selecting because Russell doesn't have a snowball's chance of getting elected.
Most of the local residents already know that coal isn't going to bring prosperity back to the region... those dreams died 30~40 years ago.
And the district's population is skewed heavily toward older, retired people who pay minimal Income Tax anyway. So attacking the IRS boogyman and telling the locals that they're gonna pay a 30% National Sales Tax on everything they buy will go over like a lead balloon.

About the only good thing I can think of about this race is that Russell is retired from the military. I'm proud to be supportive of those who serve in our armed services, but is scarey as hell to realize that some of them (hopefully a tiny minority) are so goddam dumb as rocks that they'd support a stupid National Sales Tax. Sheeeeesh....

[smoothsailing]

Well, Willie, your faith in the wisdom of the PA GOP to choose candidates capable of winning elections here pretty much undermines any opinion you have of local politics or candidates.

But that’s OK, you’re always welcome to provide a few laughs around here! LOL!

[smoothsailing]

Thanks for the headsup on Buchanan, Badray, I wasn’t aware of that. I found the Rothfus campaign website, he’s saying things there that sound conservative.

He says this about energy....

“I will fight for an energy policy that takes advantage of the great resources we have in our district and the entire United States. In addition to using coal, natural gas and nuclear power (which will all contribute to significant job gains in our district) we need to press ahead with drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Outer Continental Shelf. It is time to become energy independent and to end the practice of buying energy from those who do not share our values.”

Makes sense to me...

[Willie Green]

Well, Willie, your faith in the wisdom of the PA GOP to choose candidates capable of winning elections here pretty much undermines any opinion you have of local politics or candidates.

Actually, Russell failed my "litmus test" all on his own.
By embracing the fraudulent tax "reform" proposal disengenuously hyped as the "Fair Tax", Russell outed himself as among the worst economic weasels, conartists and swindlers to seek political office regardless of party affiliation.

I hope Tim Burns kicks his ass in the primary.
That "Fair Tax" proposal is an abomination.
Anybody hyping that on the campaign trail should be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail.