What do you do when your representative in Washington, D.C. stands against nearly everything you believe in?
Life for a progressive liberal living in the Wisconsin 5th is one of constant hair rending and ulcers. Your hair would suffer too if James Sensenbrenner were your representative.
My first run in with Wisconsin's most embarrassing politician came shortly after moving here several years ago. I called his office to express my displeasure about the Patriot Act. Let's just say that his staffers suffer from the same lack of tact as their master.
Over the last couple of years, the pointless calling of his office has continued. It's a futile gesture perhaps, but laying down because a tyrant doesn't want to be bothered with opposing viewpoints isn't really my style.
So, after some work, I was able to track down the Democrat running against Sensenbrenner - Bryan Kennedy.
Kennedy ran against Sensenbrenner in the last election. He didn't win. He didn't even come close. But he did post higher numbers than any previous Democrat has ever done since Sensenbrenner took office. Thirty-five percent doesn't sound like much, but it was enough to cost Sensenbrenner plenty in advertising last time out.
An even more positive stat is the actual number of votes Kennedy received. It was by far the best showing by a Democrat in this heavilly Republican district. And Kennedy got them the old fashioned way - he went door to door and asked for them.
He hopes that he can get all those votes again and then add more. That and a lighter turnout than the last elections could make it an interesting race.
However, despite the fact that Sensenbrenner stands against the ideals of every progressive voice in America, there's no support coming from the national party offices. When I called the Democratic party to find out if there was anything I could do to help the fight against Sensenbrenner before the last election, I was told that it was a 35 percent district and they wouldn't waste their time here.
I don't think that's changed, but one can always hope that the alarm bells will some day wake up Democrats and cause them to respond to the threats that are assailing us.
In the mean time, I'm on board. I talked to Kennedy on the phone two weeks ago and met him face to face last week. He's a down to earth father. He apologized for needing to leave a campaign meeting a bit early because he promised his daughter he would be home to tuck her in.
Maybe this is sappy, but let me say it again - he made a promise to his daughter and he felt it was important to keep that promise. That's real family values.
Maybe this will be another losing battle. Maybe nothing will change. But maybe - just maybe - one guy can help crash the gates with nothing but the desire to change things and the belief that others will join the fight.