As you can see, there are two very different options for lunch today in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Vice President Dick Cheney is in town today to raise money for my Republican opponent, John Gard, at a $250 per plate luncheon. I don't think you should have to pay $250 to eat lunch and talk about politics.
That's why when Dick Cheney's convoy rolls through, I'm welcoming anyone who is unhappy with the direction of our country to join me in my office for my "Brat Fry for Change." To eat steak with Dick Cheney, you have to pay $250 (or $1000 if you want a photo with the Vice President). We'll be charging $2.50 for a bratwurst, a soda, and a chance to talk about how we can change America for the better.
I wish Mr. Cheney would use some of his time in Green Bay to stop by my campaign headquarters and answer a few questions from the people of Northeast Wisconsin. But I'm pretty sure he's here simply to raise money for another rubber stamp member of Congress. So I'll post three questions here:
First, will he commit to fixing the disastrous Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit? Our seniors are struggling with the complexity and unfairness of the program, and all of us - seniors and other taxpayers alike - are suffering from the inexplicable ban on negotiating with pharmaceutical companies on price.
Second, what is the Administration's plan in Iraq? Vice President Cheney ignored the advice of his own generals about the number of troops it would take to stabilize Iraq, and he sent our troops into battle without adequate body armor. Three years later, the situation in Iraq is shaky at best, and "just trust us" is wearing thin as our policy in Iraq.
Finally, will he push the Republican Congress to pass real ethics reform? With the cozy relationship between the Republican Congress and corrupt lobbyists causing a new scandal nearly every week, people in Northeast Wisconsin increasingly wonder who Congress is really working for.
These are questions that Vice President Cheney should answer now. And these are the kind of questions that I want to ask as a member of Congress in Washington. I hope you use the comment section to pose some questions of your own. I'm also going to collect some questions from those who come to my "Brat Fry for Change." I'll post them here soon.