Democrat U.S. Senator Russ Feingold – the Ideal Representative for the State of Wisconsin and USA

October 3, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

The United States Senator Russ Feingold began his political career in 1982 representing the 27th District in the great State of Wisconsin. The Senator was then re-elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1986 and 1990.

Subsequently, Senator Russ Feingold expanded the horizon to the United States Senate and served three terms in office since 1992. The Senator is now seeking fourth term to serve the Wisconsin electorate preparing to elect their representative in November 2010.

Prior to moving forward with Senator Russ Feingold’s exemplary record throughout his public service, it’s important to shed light on the Wisconsin electorate.

The people of the great State of Wisconsin have led the nation in many social and political fronts earning the progressive status from the early twentieth century.

In 1921, the Wisconsin State Legislature passed the first equal rights bill in the nation, granting women full equality with men under civil law.

Then created the nation’s first comprehensive statewide primary election apparatus,

Implemented the first effective workplace injury compensation law,

Structuring the first state income tax comprising taxation proportionate to actual earnings,

Institutionalized educational access through the University of Wisconsin Extension – UW-Extension,

Set up the first unemployment compensation program in the United States in 1932.

It’s clear the Wisconsin milestones were crucial in transforming the social and political landscape at the state and national level.

As the elected official, Senator Russ Feingold’s contributions are aptly comparable to the Wisconsin State historic achievements.

The Senator’s background and credentials speak volume in the human character context – humble and honorable.

Senator Russ Feingold is a Rhode Scholar and J.D. with honors (Juris Doctor) – a first professional graduate degree and professional doctorate in law from the eminent Harvard Law School.

Despite the phenomenal academic feat, the Senator dedicated his lifetime to public service rather than pursuing economic prospects in the private sector.

Senator Russ Feingold – Current U.S. Senate Committee Assignments:

Committee on the Budget
Committee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts
Subcommittee on the Constitution (Chairman)
Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs

Committee on Foreign Relations
Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs
Subcommittee on African Affairs (Chairman)
Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Democracy and Human Rights

Select Committee on Intelligence

Senator Russ Feingold legislative record upon examination portrays the rare and admirable quality conspicuously missing in contemporary politics.

In every respect, the Senator has prioritized the people and national interest over personal benefits and consistently exemplified his verbal commitments through verifiable actions to the electorate.

Otherwise, Senator Feingold had delivered his campaign promise to his constituents, the democratic base and the nation in all matter from political, economic and social to environment issues.

Senator Russ Feingold has diligently and effectively addressed the electorates’ needs across the political spectrum as a true ‘Maverick,’ in many legislative affairs.

The prominent legislative actions are – campaign finance reform, fair trade policies, conservation and environmental protection, a multilateral foreign policy, Social Security, civil liberties, and wasteful spending.

Senator Russ Feingold emerged the ‘Veteran,’ in legislative measures concerning the veterans serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and the U.S. base around the world.

Having voted against Iraq war, Senator Feingold was the first U.S. Senator to call for troop withdrawal back in August 2005 and proposed complete withdrawal timeline by December 31, 2006.

Yet, the Senator ever remained in the forefront to assist veterans and their families at every opportunity.

Senator Feingold co-sponsored “The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act,” enacted in October 2009.

Accordingly, Senator Russ Feingold was named “Legislator of the Year” by the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.

Campaign Finance Reform – The hallmark legislative act presented as a “Bi-partisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002,” with Senator John McCain from across the aisle.

It is recognized as the “McCain-Feingold Act,” and in spotlight pending Senate approval.

Senator Russ Feingold introduced the bill in the Senate on July 14, 2005 primarily restricting special interests funds in political campaign, an epidemic invalidating democracy in the electoral process.

“The bill would ban lobbyists from giving gifts to senators and,

Impose a $50,000 fine for violating the ban,

Force lawmakers to sign statements saying that lobbyists did not pay their travel expenses,

Forbid lawmakers from traveling on corporate jets,

Bar congressmen, staffers, and executive branch officials from serving as lobbyists for two years after leaving office, and,

Last but not the least – require that lobbying reports be disclosed on a quarterly, rather than semi-annual, basis.”

Finance Reform Act 2010 – Senator Feingold was the only Democrat to oppose the bill based on the loopholes and Wall Street concessions benefiting the bailout recipients in particular with a potential for history repeating itself in the future.

Oddly, the Senate majority sought the Republican Senator Scott Brown’s vote after $19 billion tax exemption to Wall Street instead of meeting the Democrat Senator Feingold’s legitimate request to protect the financial sector from reckless speculations and tax evasions on executive bonus.

Fair Trade Practices – Senator Feingold again demonstrated prudence by extending support to –

“Fair Trade Act,” and not “Free Trade Agreement,” such as NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement).

These practices proved to hurt the American and overseas workers.

A good example being China and the controversial currency adjustment whereby the Yuan or Renminbi is maintained lower than the market determination undermining the trade balance between U.S. and China besides affecting the global economy.

Senator Feingold has been deeply involved in protecting American jobs and continually strived for the poor, the middle class and the disadvantaged workers by introducing and/or participating in legislations to improve American life.

Government Spending – Senator Feingold is also a well-known advocate for reductions in pork barrel spending or earmarks and corporate welfare. Citizens Against Government Waste, the Concord Coalition, and Taxpayers for Common Sense, three nonpartisan organizations dedicated to those causes, have repeatedly commended him.

National deficit has been a major consideration for the Senator and made wise recommendations to contract the alarmingly disproportionate defense budget and other discretionary spending.

Moral and Ethics: Senator Feingold was elected to Congress on a promise not to accept pay increase while in office.

The Senator has so far returned over $50,000 in such raises to the U.S. Treasury.

Further, the Senator is famously frugal in his office spending, and sends back the money that he does not use.

In one six-month period in 1999, for example, his office received $1.787 million in appropriations and returned $145,000, a higher percentage than any other senator.

The Senator made a contract with Wisconsin constituents and kept his word by accepting predominantly grassroots contributions.

Senator Feingold campaign style is parallel to yet another highly respected Democrat Senator the (deceased) Paul Wellstone from Minnesota.

With respect to human rights and civil liberties – Senator Russ Feingold has been a champion in securing the individual liberty and American justice for all.

Senator Feingold voted against the Patriot Act prevalent and vigorously misused until now – The Senator raised strong objection to the provisions in the bill that enabled State infringement upon innocent citizens’ civil liberties.

Similarly, the Senator had profound misgivings on FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) used as a pretext again until now by the federal authorities for illegal wiretapping and spying on American civilians.

Same-Sex Marriage: The Senator has gone to great lengths for the gay community in defending the constitutional right that guarantees equal rights for all. Senator Feingold is on the right side of justice and vehemently favored the position with a public statement –

“Gay and lesbian couples should be able to marry and have access to the same rights, privileges and benefits that straight couples currently enjoy…”

On May 18, 2006, Senator Feingold again made news with his stance on marriage when he walked out of the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting under Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA at the time) shortly before a vote on a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

Evidently, the above facts confirm the remarkable journey by the extraordinary and distinguished statesman with three successful terms in office from the foresighted State of Wisconsin,

The Honorable. Senator Russ Feingold

With merely four weeks for the midterm election, the electorates in the State of Wisconsin have an awesome responsibility to choose their Senator to represent them in Washington D.C.

Given the Wisconsin progressiveness in all issues, the Republican candidate Ron Johnson is an irony due to the candidate’s bizarre and the diametrically opposite stance on –

The economy, health, environment and social issues.

Republican candidate Ron Johnson is a corporate executive, multi-millionaire with no economic or health care plan except for joining the Republican Congress members to strengthen the ‘Nay’ votes on all issues regardless and pronouncing the Washington political gridlock elevating the American electorates’ frustration and disappointment.

The Corporate CEO has thus far invested a staggering $4.3million from personal wealth and received $1.6 million in other contributions – essentially purchasing the Senate Seat with money power realizing that it could be easily recovered by voting for the ‘special interests’ and violating the Wisconsin constituents trust upon being elected to the Senate.

The Corporate CEO Ron Johnson sided with Catholic Church leaders in opposing a proposed Child Victims Act in testimony before a state Senate committee.

Republican candidate Ron Johnson stands by his January 2010 testimony on the Child Victims Act, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for child abuse victims.

Candidate Johnson said he opposed the Child Victims Act because it could have financially hurt groups like the Scouts.

This testimony is an affirmation to the Republican candidate Ron Johnson’ misplaced priority.

Is the Corporate CEO Ron Johnson ignoring the child victims’ welfare for financial reasons?

When asked about allowing offshore drilling for oil in the Great Lakes,

The Corporate CEO Ron Johnson responded, “We have to get the oil where it is.”

Republican candidate and the Corporate CEO Ron Johnson defended BP in the economic and environmentally catastrophic oil spill.

The Republican candidate Ron Johnson criticized those holding BP responsible for cleaning up the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Republican candidate Ron Johnson disclosed that he owns more than $100,000 worth of stock in BP.

Republican candidate Ron Johnson has described scientists who attribute global warming (the current climate change) to man-made causes as “crazy” and the theory as “lunacy.”

As to his opinion on the source of climate change,

The Republican candidate Ron Johnson said, “It’s far more likely that it’s just sunspot activity or just something in the geologic eons of time.”

He gave no response when asked to give evidence supporting the sun-spot theory.

Perhaps, the Wisconsin electorates could see the stark contrast between the Democrat Senator Russ Feingold and the Republican candidate, the Corporate CEO Ron Johnson.

There is no comparison between the two candidates’ policies. Senator Feingold’s policy is for the people and Republican CEO Ron Johnson’s campaign is pledged to the corporate agenda.

Senator Russ Feingold is a populist relentlessly fighting for the average citizens – reflecting the democracy’s real choice.

Whereas,

Republican candidate, the Corporate CEO Ron Johnson is focused on advancing his own and corporate interests that would inevitably harm the Wisconsin voters leaving them betrayed with a broken promise – a common experience in politics easily thwarted with the progressive Democrat like Senator Russ Feingold.

Can the Wisconsin constituents rely on the Republican Ron Johnson’s candidacy that is unequivocally tied to monetary pursuits?

It’s much better for the Wisconsin electorate to continue the tradition and re-elect the genuinely committed leader with result-oriented outstanding record – Hon. Senator Russ Feingold.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Wisconsin electorates to exercise caution when being falsely driven towards a corporate candidate Ron Johnson with public statements revealing the real purpose.

Senator Russ Feingold is a valuable asset to the State of Wisconsin, United States, the Democratic Party and the international community.

The Republican candidate Ron Johnson’s victory would be tragic and an irretrievable loss for the Wisconsin voters.

When the Wisconsin electorates weigh the pros and cons between the two candidacies, the overwhelming pro response would lead to Senator Russ Feingold.

Please visit www.russfeingold.com and contribute to Senator Feingold’s campaign at the time being outspent by his corporate candidate Ron Johnson.

Also Wisconsin electorates from the political and socio-economic strata –

Please cast your ballot earlier if possible for Senator Russ Feingold and grant the Senator a landslide victory in the midterm election.

A splendid future is guaranteed for the Wisconsin electorate through honest and hardworking Senator Russ Feingold in the United States Senate.

C’mon Wisconsin you can do it.

Please reverse the poll trend and place your most trusted Senator Russ Feingold on the top for a fabulous win on November 2, 2010.

Your generosity, cooperation and voter mobilization is urgently required to help Senator Russ Feingold win the November 2010 election.

In fact, you can declare Senator Feingold’s re-election by mailing in your ballots if the voter is an armed personnel or a senior citizen including others – please check with your local authorities in this regard.

Please donate any amount to the campaign www.russfeingold.com and vote for Senator Russ Feingold.

Voting is a privilege for many across the globe deprived of the fundamental right.

Good Luck! Senator Russ Feingold for a deserving triumph in November 2010 elections.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under United States 

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