In “Knowledge is Power” (Purgatorius, Jan-Mar 2005) I lamented the fact that, despite widespread agreement among Americans on many issues, our politicians are not working toward solution of these issues. There are, however, a few scrupulous politicians who appear to have our best interests in mind. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis), most renowned for championing campaign finance reform, is one of these politicians. Feingold has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2008. He has been able to work for progressive causes using pragmatism and bipartisan cooperation. At the same time, he is not afraid to stand alone when he feels that legislation is not in the best interests of the people and our nation (he voted no on both the USA Patriot Act and the Iraq War Resolution, something that Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Joseph Biden (D-Del), two other presidential hopefuls, did not have the courage or foresight to do). Following is a summary of some of Feingold’s issue stances.

1. Universal Health Care and Better Prescription Drug Benefits. Universal health care is likely to be more efficient (less costly to most Americans) than our current privatized system that leaves 43 million of our citizens without health coverage. The prescription drug bill should be amended to allow cheaper imports and to lower the costs of prescription drugs.
2. Fair Trade. Protect American jobs while promoting more balanced global trade agreements.
3. Balanced Budget and Reduced Deficit. With the largest federal deficit ever, still rising, Bush cuts taxes for the wealthy. We need to be fiscally responsible for a stable future.
4. Fight Terrorism Responsibly. Bush talks about freedom for Iraq even while he curtails our freedoms at home.
5. Environment. Protect our land, air, and water without using antithetical euphemisms like “Clear Skies” and “Healthy Forests” to fool the American public.
6. Choice. We need to protect the right to safe and legal abortions.
7. Campaign Finance Reform. Feingold was a sponsor of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, which limited soft money spending. This was a good step toward taking the influence of money out of political campaigns, but there is a long road ahead. 

This is a solid progressive platform that may form the basis for a presidential run. The platform could benefit from a few more urgent issues. Reform is badly needed in our criminal justice system – we need to place more emphasis on treatment and rehabilitation. Addressing climate change has been met with antagonism by the Bush administration – it is an issue that could have catastrophic impacts on humanity and the world. Hand in hand with climate change, our energy policy needs to focus more on homegrown, renewable resources. The United States should play a larger role in promoting global programs that reduce poverty and increase sustainable infrastructures in the developing world. 

In these times of egotistical, profit-driven politicians, it’s good to know that there are still some in office who work for the American public. Feingold is ahead of the curve in supporting important and largely popular issues. Other presidential hopefuls would do well to follow his lead.