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I found this survey by following Volume One online. If applicable, please take the time to fill it out. :)

Also, if you have not yet had a chance to, remember to fill out the Eau Claire County Budget Survey.

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Yesterday, I went up to Bloomer, WI with my parents to talk about Thailand at a retirement home. On the way, we decided to stop at Culver's along Highway 53 to have some lunch. I saw a man sitting in a booth that looked fimiliar--I had to do a double-take, but I was certain it was Senator Feingold. My mom and dad concurred when they joined me at our table. I almost approached him and let him know that I appreciate his stance on FISA, but he seemed to be enjoying his ButterBurger a LOT. I am not sure if anyone else in the restaurant recognized the Senator--if they did, they allowed him to enjoy his 4th of July weekend "off the job".

It is always cool to see national figures in the Chippewa Valley; it is doubly cool to see them at such an everyday spot. Keep up the good work Senator Feingold!--I'll treat you to some custard next time I see you.

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Yes, that title is correct. At first I didn't believe it either--but then both WEAU AND WQOW reported on it, so I knew it must be true. :P

His name is Bill Ingram, and he is considering running for the House of Representatives to unseat Representative Ron Kind--just in case the "President-thing" doesn't work out.

I did a little more searching and was able to find this article by The Dunn County News and this article posted by the Newsroom at UWEC.

I'll be honest, I will still be voting for Senator Obama in November. However, I am impressed by Mr. Ingram's committment to solving problems and providing alternatives.

Also, be sure to see Bill Ingram's campaign website.

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On May 21, I had a chance to attend Wisconsin State Senator Kreitlow's listening session at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire. A number of topics were brought up by constituents--gas prices, railway transportation, higher education, healthcare, the Iraq War, farming, etc. But the topic of most importance to me--as a UW-Madison student--was NOT sky-rocketing tuition or universal healthcare; instead, I was most interested in bipartisanship. We will only see effective policies implemented if our elected officials commit to working across party lines.

As a first term Senator, I hope Senator Kreitlow is committed to finding real solutions during this partisan age. Admittedly, his positions are often along party lines. Nonetheless, throughout the listening session, Kreitlow talked about the need for compromise and respecting the views of people you may not agree with.