Over the past 17 years, Sen. Russ Feingold has become a well-known name in Wisconsin and, to some degree, across the nation. With his aggressive pursuit of media attention, it is not unusual to see Feingold make an appearance on a national talk show to discuss the issue of the day.
Yet, while his face and name have become familiar to almost all of us, how often do we stop to ask ourselves what Feingold stands for and if his representation in the U.S. Senate actually reflects our values?
This year especially, it's become clear just how liberal Feingold's values really are. For instance, while other senators weigh their words and their votes carefully on health care, there's never been a question about Feingold's support for the Pelosi/Reid/Obama health care spending bills, which do little to address the out-of-control costs many American families and businesses are struggling with.
With his unequivocal support for the bills - which, despite the numbers Feingold would cherry-pick, do increase the national deficit - I had to ask myself if Feingold even was listening in August when so many people across the state took the time to express their opposition to these atrocious proposals.
Despite his lack of independent thought on health care, I'm disappointed he continues to attempt to play up his "maverick" image on issues of national security. While other senators take an active role in promoting our safety through tough decisions and real solutions, Feingold's latest move has been to side with the extreme liberal elements of his party, stubbornly bucking the advice of General McChrystal and even President Obama on the need for more troops in Afghanistan to effectively win the war on al-Qaida.
To top it all off, despite his votes to accelerate federal spending at an unprecedented pace in 2009, Feingold is calling for deficit reduction measures that will go only a short distance in reversing the damage he already has voted for. But it sure does make for a good press release.
Wisconsin voters deserve better than a senator who says one thing but does another in Washington. We deserve more than a pundit, more than a self-proclaimed maverick, and more than a senator with a big name but little in common with the values of Wisconsinites.
Feingold will face a tough election in 2010 because several adept Republican candidates have stepped up to take on the machine that has become the Feingold campaign team. Wisconsin voters need to keep the heat on Feingold now and in 2010 to make it known we want a senator who shares our values on bringing about real health care reform, who will lead, not hide, on national security challenges, and whose votes on spending will be consistent with getting this country out of debt and our economy back on track.
Yet, while his face and name have become familiar to almost all of us, how often do we stop to ask ourselves what Feingold stands for and if his representation in the U.S. Senate actually reflects our values?
This year especially, it's become clear just how liberal Feingold's values really are. For instance, while other senators weigh their words and their votes carefully on health care, there's never been a question about Feingold's support for the Pelosi/Reid/Obama health care spending bills, which do little to address the out-of-control costs many American families and businesses are struggling with.
With his unequivocal support for the bills - which, despite the numbers Feingold would cherry-pick, do increase the national deficit - I had to ask myself if Feingold even was listening in August when so many people across the state took the time to express their opposition to these atrocious proposals.
Despite his lack of independent thought on health care, I'm disappointed he continues to attempt to play up his "maverick" image on issues of national security. While other senators take an active role in promoting our safety through tough decisions and real solutions, Feingold's latest move has been to side with the extreme liberal elements of his party, stubbornly bucking the advice of General McChrystal and even President Obama on the need for more troops in Afghanistan to effectively win the war on al-Qaida.
To top it all off, despite his votes to accelerate federal spending at an unprecedented pace in 2009, Feingold is calling for deficit reduction measures that will go only a short distance in reversing the damage he already has voted for. But it sure does make for a good press release.
Wisconsin voters deserve better than a senator who says one thing but does another in Washington. We deserve more than a pundit, more than a self-proclaimed maverick, and more than a senator with a big name but little in common with the values of Wisconsinites.
Feingold will face a tough election in 2010 because several adept Republican candidates have stepped up to take on the machine that has become the Feingold campaign team. Wisconsin voters need to keep the heat on Feingold now and in 2010 to make it known we want a senator who shares our values on bringing about real health care reform, who will lead, not hide, on national security challenges, and whose votes on spending will be consistent with getting this country out of debt and our economy back on track.
