Why is Russ Feingold just about the only Democrat out there who understands what is happening to our constitution and our country? C'mon Democrats! Wake up and lead. Stand up for your values, dare to believe that Americans will follow you if you give them somewhere to go. And Russ, you're the man to lead us.

At least we know thanks to DNA evidence that Bill Clinton has balls. It doesn't seem as though many Democratic politicians could even be assumed to have any balls after the end of his presidency. When the party already has lost majority power, I fail to see how pretending to be Republican Lite would ever turn things around. Try the new Republican Lite: Fewer ideas, less conviction, more excuses, and the same awful policies. Even though I completely disagree with almost everything the Republican leadership is doing at the federal level, at least they appear to believe in their rotten plans enough to stand behind them. It is to the point that I'm like the sports fan who almost wishes some of the other guys were playing for our team, because they have a winning spirit our guys have lost.

I will continue to vote for the Democratic candidates in upcoming federal elections because Insert Name Here has to be better than the status quo, but it really bothers me to have to continue to support a party whose leadership I can no longer respect, simply because there is no practical alternative. Are we at the point where the best sound bite the Democratic party has is "Vote for us. We don't have any ideas or beliefs we're willing the stand up for, but we can't possibly F things up as badly as the other guys, can we?"

Senator Feingold consistently demonstrates the qualities I would like to see in a President of the United States. His hat should be in the ring. And to the sabbath gasbags who apparently have the rest of the Democratic Party cowed, the message is that there is something more fundamental than being viewed as "too liberal." That would be having principles and sticking with them.

The Patriot Act is only the tip of the iceberg. It has truly become a chronicle of Democratic capitulation that has ultimately lead to brazen corruption, and the deaths of innocent people. While I still consider myself a Democrat and will continue to vote for party candidates, it's only a matter of time before I consider them complicit in this five year dismantling of my country.

I am so proud of Senator Feingold for not succumbing to the panderers of fear in the White House and Congress. This is the time for Democrats to stand up and distinguish themselves, not cower from the tyrants in the Administration. The Administration is vulnerable with all the bad press they've gotten, and Democrats need to make a unified stand with a growing number of emboldened Republicans. Don't let justice be a victim in the war on terror.

I don't understand how anybody can claim that anything about the Patriot Act is any kind of win.

I'll continue to vote for Democrats, but my feelings about it were best summed up by Aaron Sorkin. On The West Wing, he had John Spencer's Leo McGarry say, "I'm tired of voting for the lesser of who cares."

Consistent, principled action. That's what I want to see. Senator Feingold, keep it up.

I want to contact my Senators but I am having trouble finding out what bill to reference. Anyone know what the number is? Also, anyone know what the associated bill's number in the House is?

Thanks,

JDL

The Bill of Rights is America. The Patriot Act is fascism. It's just that simple.

Where can I get a list of the Democratic senators who are poised to okay the Patriot Act renewel? I have to think Hillary Clinton and Evan Bayh are among the neo-chickenhawks.

Damn, Russ.

As I read your essay, my energy level began to rise, but then images of Carl Levin, Kerry, Lieberman, Biden, Reid, Clinton and Pelosi danced through my head. My spirit remained unmoved. "**** 'em!" it said.

The news about Paul Hackett combined with the Dems caving, yet again, makes it clear that there is no one out there that can lead the party.

Complaining or whining won't do anymore, Russ. Did you really think this "Patriot Act II Cave-in" would be news? Telling us that the Dems are whimping out has the profundity of "all fish have scales."

I am so sick of the phrase, “War on Terrorism.” I’m so tired of hearing people say this or that is part of the struggle/war/fight against terrorism.

Hey, folks... deal with it. Some crazies knocked down a couple of tall buildings and killed some innocent people almost five years ago, presumably because some guy hiding in remotest Asia told them to! The hiding guy is still out there, unapprehended. And what are we doing five years later? We’re still running around like Chicken Little terrified that it might happen again. We’re ignoring important issues while we shadowbox with... gasp... the chimera of terrorism. Ever see a kid stir up a red ant hill with a stick? The ants run around for a while, but eventually they put the ant hill back together and get on with it. And that’s what we’d have done if we didn’t let ourselves be sold this so-called war!

It’s so infuriating! Drunk drivers have killed over a hundred thousand people since 9/11/01 – is anyone declaring war on drunk drivers? Let’s get a sense of perspective, please. Sen. Feingold is right when he says we shouldn’t give up our freedoms because of this trumped-up war. We also shouldn’t be giving up health care, schoolbooks for kids, assistance to other countries who are really ready to make the leap into democracy... filling potholes, treating drug addicts... all the things we don’t have money for because of this damned, unwinnable, unfightable made-up struggle whose main aim is to enrich arms merchants and distract the public while politicians slurp at the public trough.

Grrrrr!