When I posted this on a national blog recently, it set off a fierce debate:

Enough is enough.

I spent 20 years of my life working to elect Democratic candidates. Because that's how I made my living, and because I believed it would make a difference, I've also given regularly to Democratic candidates over the years.

But the list of Dems who might get a check from me just got a lot shorter, after their latest cave-in on Iraq.

If they won't defund the war, maybe it's time to defund the Democrats.

What set me off was the $70-billion, no-strings appropriation for the Iraq war, which sailed through both houses of Congress with the aid of Democrats -- 78 of them in the House and all but three of those voting in the Senate.

They did it even when their votes weren't needed for passage, when doing the right thing was a freebie.

You can read it all here if you're interested.

One of the 78 Democrats who caved in to Bush -- well, maybe it wasn't even a cave-in; maybe he thinks giving Bush the money is a great idea -- was our own Ron Kind.

The rest of the Wisconsin House Dems voted against the bill. In the Senate, Russ Feingold was one of only three Senate Dems who voted no. Herb Kohl, although voting with Feingold on an earlier amendment to bring the troops home quickly, took a dive on the final vote.

Antiwar activists often hold vigils outside one of Kohl's state offices, and a large delegation met with him in Milwaukee awhile back to discuss Iraq, which seemed to help him vote against the war the next few times it came up.

But Kind, as far as I know, is never challenged on his stance and vote.

Why not? Is it because we're not surprised?

There are peace groups active in his district, holding events and vigils regularly. Why aren't they outside of his office, demanding an explanation?

Here's what's going on in the district of one Pennsylvania member of Congress:

Protest! U.S. Congressman Joe Sestak's (D-CD 7) Vote to Fund the Iraq War

FUNDING THE WAR IS KILLING OUR TROOPS

Walk to Joe Sestak's Media Office (600 N. Jackson Street)

U.S. Congressman Joe Sestak (D-CD 7) was one of just 78 Democrats who last month voted in the U.S. House of Representatives to give President Bush another $39 billion to continue the U.S. war and military occupation in Iraq. Over 800 U.S. soldiers have been killed and thousands wounded since Joe Sestak and the Democratic majority in Congress took office in January of 2007. More than 10,000 Iraqis have been killed)

Sponsored by Delaware County Wage Peace & Justice

I've never been a big Ron Kind donor, although I must have given something at least once, since I still get a Christmas card from Ron, Tawni and the family. He won't miss my check.

But he ought to be getting some heat from the people he's supposed to be representing. Two-thirds of the people in this country want the war and occupation to end. I can't imagine Kind's district is any different.

It's just quieter.

Maybe this election year would be a good time to change that.