RUSS FEINGOLD IN 2008? PART II, MY VIEW

Being a lifer from Wisconsin, my viewpoint of Russ Feingold is probably different than most of those who do not reside here. I'm sure there are people who will say that my opinion is biased because Russ and I are from the same state. I think that is true of anyone with a candidate for the highest elected office in the country coming from their state.

Russ Feingold is a good man. He is honest and straight-foward, and he is not afraid to speak his mind. He thinks for himself, and he does not belch the party line. His campaign funds are basically grassroots and out of his own pocket. Very little money comes from corporate contributions.

Out of 100 Senators, Russ was the only one who voted against the (Un)Patriot Act in 2001 when it came up for a vote the first time. He felt that it was being rushed through the Senate, which it was, and no-one was taking the time to really study it to realize the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms we would be loosing.

Russ has been an excellent Senator representing the State of Wisconsin, without a doubt the best in a long time. Bill Proxmier was good, but I think Russ beats him hands down.

Russ is one who really cares about his constituants. Every time that I have signed an on-line petition I have received a letter from him. It has been a form letter, but at least I hear something. I hardly ever receive a response to a petition from my Representative, who is a Republican, and I never receive anything from Senator Herb Kohl, who is a Democrat.

Whenever I have sent a personal letter or email to Russ, I have always received a personal letter in return. Now, you tell me how many people in other states can say that about their Congressmen.

Here's just one example of how much Russ cares about all of us.

There are some of you who know that my wife has invasive lobular carcinoma, the worst form of breast cancer. After her first chemo treatment, which the clinic screwed-up and almost killed her, she was told by the doctor that she couldn't have any more treatments until she had seen a dentist and had gotten her teeth fixed. (Go to her blog for the full story ~~~Sunnyside2day~~~Ramblings...Musings...and Breast Cancer)

I'm sure you all know how hard it is to get in to see a dentist. It's even harder when you don't have a regular one and you have on insurance. My wife spent the better part of two days calling all over southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois trying to find a dentist that would take her in so she coujd get back on her much needed chemo treatments. No luck. The earliest she could get in anywhere was late January 2006.

She even tried the Govenor's office and got no results. Then she called Russ Feingold's office. They took the message and passsed it on. Within two hours one of his ombudsmen called back and told my wife to sit tight, that she was working on the problem. The next day she had gotten my wife an appointment at the best dental clinic in the state. She is now back on her chemo treatments at the best cancer clinic in the state.

Russ really does care about people. He has been such a great Senator for the state of Wisconsin, and the rest of the country, that I hate to loose him.

I do believe he would be an excellent President. If he should decide to run in 2008, he will have my full support and I will do everything I can to get him elected.