Brian Keeler for NY State Senate

Background:

I am a Citizen Journalist. Co-founded ePluribus Media, the largest citizen investigative journalism media organization on the Internet. I am also a founding member of Political Cortex (www.politicalcortex.com). On-line activists will know me as NYBri.

I am a teacher, writer, actor and owner of a small communications business. I've worked with the non-profit, youth development organization called The First Tee. I developed their business plan and helped them implement that plan successfully.

I decided to push aside my keyboard and move into the actual political arena.

Goals:

The NY State government is so out of contact with the people of New York. It's presently run by patronage, profit and entrenched political power. I am running to reform not only how the government in Albany works, but for whom it works. I'm a progressive who wants to return government to its right owners, the citizens of New York.

Issues:

- Governmental reform in Albany to make it an actual democracy
- Property/Income tax reform (especially how our schools are funded)
- Health Care issues (to work toward a single payer system)

Grassroots Support:

I am challenging a 16 year incumbent who has access to a large sum of money. I won't be able to outspend my opponent, but I can out-message him. I am relying on a grassroots message and organization to tap into the public's desire for reform and responsible change.

I also am an on-line activist and will be building an active "netroots" campaign modeled after the DFA campaign in 2003-2004.

DFA Values:

I believe that the American success story of the twentieth century is a celebration of progressive values. The Triangle Shirt Factory fire in 1911, sparked a movement to protect workers and consumers as well as the marketplace from the inherent inhuman aspects of capitalism. This movement resulted in basic regulatory legislation that protects the workplace, the environment, retirement, financial institutions, food, drugs, fair tax structure, etc. This progressive legislation has made America the envy of the rest of the world and has created a social compromise, if you will, between capitalism and humanism. However, this compromise is presently under attack and the progressive legislation is being eroded slowly by people who want to return to the era before the Triangle Shirt Fire.

I think we can protect this compromise by returning to a progressive tax structure, building a new job base by leading the way in renewable energy technology and a single payer health care system that is medically responsible and financially sound.

I also believe, if we want to spend, we have to have the money on hand to do so.