My erstwhile opponent, freshman Tea Partier Rep. Clyde "Steve" Russell (R &Tea Party-OK), has committed another offense for which he should be told, "You're fired!" You would think that someone like Mr. Russell, who makes $285,000 in salary and benefits paid for by taxpayers, should at least be able to keep the federal government's lights on.

Congress averted a government shutdown by approving a short-term spending bill (until December 11) a few hours before the deadline. If the bill had been voted down on September 30, the government would have shut down and turned out the lights. With enormous stakes staring him in the face, Russell irresponsibly voted "no" on keeping the government open and the lights on. Mr. Russell voted to shut the government down. A unanimous vote by the House Democratic Caucus saved the day and kept the government open for business. Russell's job performance is sort of like hiring a lifeguard for your backyard pool, who then drains the pool and goes home before your guests arrive to spend his pay check.

Fire Russell! If he can't even keep the government open, he is highly unlikely to accomplish anything useful for those of us who pay his salary! It seems he would destroy everything in his wake to defund Planned Parenthood and deprive American women of necessary health care services.