Message from DC: John Kreienkamp

I am well into my internship in Washington, D.C., and I've discovered that I arrived in the busiest part of Congress' summer sessions. I'm interning for Senator Michael Bennet, the junior U.S. Senator from Colorado, and I'm really enjoying my experiences in his office.

The Senator has a great sense of humor, he's an excellent public speaker, and I think he does a great job representing the people of Colorado. The health care debate, Sotomayor nomination, cap and trade, and Matthew Shepard Act have kept me busy, and I've been made a press intern. So, in addition to the phone answering, data entry, and constituent support I do, I also monitor all the major news outlets and prepare daily briefings for the office staff. As far as general observations go, I have to say that conservatives and Republicans are really riled up over just about every issue imaginable right now, calling in or writing to Congress, screaming about "socialism" and how we're "destroying America". That shouldn't be news to anyone, but the volume of conservative anger has really been overwhelming. What I've seen from constituents has really been a one-sided affair, with Democrats calling their representatives in much smaller numbers than Republicans. It could be different with Washington representatives, but I think that Democrats would do well to be more aggressive and consistent in contacting their Congressman in order to exert pressure and bring about the Progressive reform our state and our country desperately need. Anyway, I hope all is well with Mason County and the Mason County Democrats, and I look forward to being back in Washington State at the conclusion of my internship.

(John Kreienkamp is a previous resident of Mason County and is planning to get more involved with the Mason County Democrats when he returns. He will be 19 on July 31.)