About Samm Simpson
I was born in the "Breadbasket of the World"-the Iowa Midwest-near the Mississippi River nearly 55 years ago to a father and mother who instilled equal doses of analytical thinking and the mystery of faith. I grew up in the Iowa countryside with a love for the land and respect for the hard working entrepreneur farmers and the bounty they brought forth. My youthful heroes-Edward R, Murrow, President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., the Harlem Globetrotters, Muhammad Ali, Mahatma Gandhi and others inspired a well of idealism that refuses to run dry. 
Public schools in Iowa taught me to critically think, not quickly judge. To that end, student exchange programs offered a variety of experiences: President Marco declaration of martial law, and a view of Poland's Communism, from the anti aircraft guns and soldiers to the dusty aged products offered for tourists. Joined by high school students from the around the country, we traveled through Austria, Poland and Greece, Belgium, Switzerland, Great Britain and Germany. I saw the world as a whole: human beings as one color-the red color of the blood that flows from each of us. I understood early on that human beings-regardless of age, race, color, creed, gender, religion, or cultural position-have identical human needs, just like Maslow's hierarchy of needs proclaims.
I began my broadcasting career as a live radio announcer in 1973, when few women's voices were part of the landscape. I've been employed as a television and radio host, producer, director and writer in Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado and Florida.
From 1984 - 2001, I was employed at the Raymond James & Associates Corporate Headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida. During my tenure, I helped design, build and manage the Corporate Media Studio. I was named Assistant Vice President of Marketing in 1988 and Vice President of Marketing in 1992. Early on, I obtained my Series 7 and 63 security industry licensees and garnered the respect of my peers by becoming an expert in financial industry products and services, operations and sales techniques. I was responsible for producing, hosting and editing "Audiofile," the Raymond James & Associates - www.raymondjames.com - internationally distributed audio program. The privilege of interviewing thousands of financial advisors, economists and financial industry experts gave me a broad based education in entrepreneurship, economics, and the balance between capitalism and social responsibility
From 2001 - 2003, I was hired as Manager of Television and Radio operations for Pinellas County Economic Development, where I produced and co-hosted the award winning "Good Business Pinellas" radio and television programs. These programs gained recognition as one of the best in Florida and the Southeastern United States.
In 2004, I began actively organizing events geared toward social and environmental justice with other Pinellas County groups. I've also been instrumental in bringing voices of truth to Pinellas County, including ex CIA analyst Ray McGovern, Bruce Gagnon, coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, and Colonel (ret.) Ann Wright, who was one of three government employees who resigned their post in protest to the Iraq War. I am also documentary filmmaker.
I am a graduate of the PEL program at Eckerd College I'm a member of the City of Dunedin's Board of Finance, and Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee. In addition to my independent radio and television work, I have worked as a reading tutor for elementary school children and as a volunteer with Veterans for Peace at Dunedin High School to offer alternatives to military service.
I've been a resident of Dunedin, Florida since 1982. Since 1998, that's where Paul McDowell, a craftsman painter and artist, and I have made our home. We've recently begun organic gardening .. I encourage everyone to plant seeds and create your own victory garden. Our food supply is a critical issue - and it's getting more press daily. I am for truth in labeling. I am against genetically modified seeds and abhor the environmental damage done by large scale animal operations. The right for us to utilize health supplements and vitamins is also an issue I take seriously.
I am a person of faith, a survivor of domestic violence and for many years was a single parent. I hold great empathy toward families who have loved ones struggling with emotional and mental illnesses - and often neglected by a society that has become increasingly driven by materialism, hubris and greed.
My hope is that we can bend back the darkness, rediscover our humanity and the moral reasoning and rule of law that our nation was founded upon. May we engage in rational discussions of the issues that beset us on every side. Wrestling with the corporate interests that dominate our Congress - and returning it into the hands of the people - will not be easy - but defending freedom and truth never is. This is the call of our generation. Together, we can make a stand. Together, we can take back our country. Together, we can work to preserve the planet for our children and our grandchildren.
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