SIX DEMOCRATS FACE OFF FOR U.S. CONGRESS: RUSSELL URGES EXPORTS, TOURISMK, INFRASTRUCTURE

Shannon Russell is tired of things the way they are and believes it is time for change. Because he wants to play a role in that change, the 52-year-old Gideon resident is running for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 8th District.

Russell said there is too much waste in state and federal governments, workers' compensation should be funded with a statewide pool, he wants to get away from production controls in agriculture and focus more on marketing, and he is concerned that jobs are leaving Missouri and going into Arkansas.

He said he is also pushing for a greater emphasis on tourism in the 8th District and improvements in infrastructure, and believes that the federal government should play a smaller role in people's lives.

Although it is primarily a state issue, Russell said he is especially upset about workers' compensation in the state. He said he believes that private companies are not doing an adequate job of providing coverage, and that is one of the reasons he filed for Congress.

"I've got to do what I can to reform this situation and clean up politics; it's time for a change," said Russell, one of six Democrats in the race.

Referring to the federal government, Russell said, "I'm going to cut that sucker to the bone as fast as I can make it run like a business and cut waste."

He ran for Congress in 1984, but lost the nomination to Bill Blue of Rolla. One month before the primary, Russell fell when scaffolding collapsed on him while painting a building. The accident left him partially disabled.

Before the injury Russell worked as a union painter, and for 20 years had a farming operation in New Madrid County. He is still a member of Local Union 2341 of the Painters District Council No. 2.

He has participated in vocational rehabilitation programs and attended Columbia College from 1988 to 1990.

Russell said one of the biggest problems facing the United States is the need for a change in strategy following the Cold War. "We have to change our strategy from military ... some tough decisions have to be made, but we have to change over to a civilian-oriented economy," he said.

The biggest problem facing the 8th District is a need for jobs. "We have to have jobs," said Russell. "We have to have employment to keep our people here; our tax base is shrinking."

He said the federal government needs to take the lead in providing jobs and should be "leading the herd and mounting the charge."

In cutting military spending, Russell said there will be some unemployment and a potential downturn in the economy. He said he supports work programs where unemployed people can do projects for the public good.

Russell said he wants to help the Democratic candidate for president, Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, make good on his promise that health care will be a top priority. Russell is calling for some type of national health-care system where people who really need care can be treated.

"I want reasonable health care; if a person needs to see a doctor, one should be available," he said.

He said he supports a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. "I can't see any reason not to have it unless there is a national emergency," he said. "I think business as usual should be balancing the budget, just as it is at the state level. The federal government should be no different than any business."

Russell labels himself a pro-choice candidate on abortion. "I don't like abortion, but I don't want government on a woman's back. If she is confused, she should go see her minister, not her representative."

Russell said he has five children and two grandchildren.

He said he supports giving aid to the former Soviet Union. "I'm a firm believer in pure democracy and want to work toward that end," he said.

To avoid the additional Federal Elections Commission report requirements, Russell said he plans to keep campaign spending during the primary to less than $5,000.

Comparing himself to other Democrats in the race, Russell said: "I know what I have. I have an agenda laid out. I don't know that others have."