To the Editor-

Do you trust the federal government?  I believe the values of our Constitutional Republic are under attack from within.  The government agencies we must trust to impartially administer the law, the IRS, NSA, and EPA, appear influenced by an administration determined to defeat political opponents and promote a socialist agenda.  For example, the NSA surveillance of e-mails and phones without warrant, the IRS targeting of conservative groups and the subsequent disappearance of alleged associated e-mails, the executive orders subsequent to the Affordable Care Act, the EPA rulemaking that exceeds the authority allowed by Congress, and reports of back-door attempts for gun control provide reason for distrust.  When you add mismanagement of VA health care and an aggressive foreign policy that creates enemies and strains ally relationships, you can’t help but wonder if there is anything ethical left in Washington?

Will our current congressman, Ron Kind, address issues of government distrust?  I think it unlikely.  Many representatives place political party allegiance before their oath to our Constitution, and as a result, lose voter trust in government.  Kind lost my trust with his strong allegiance to the President’s policies.  It’s as if he abandoned voters in a field of crickets.

So how do we regain trust in government?  Would voting Republican fix Washington?  Not likely.  Simply voting ‘R’ for the establishment’s favorite candidate just continues the cycle of party allegiance over Constitutional principles.  In the end we still stand in our field of distrust and crickets, silenced by our surroundings, this time with an ‘R’ tattooed to our foreheads in place of the ‘D’.

To regain trust, we must find truthful representatives dedicated to protecting our rights, who will not compromise our Constitution, and who resist unethical party bosses and crony capitalism.  There are a few truthful Congressman in Washington, such as Rand Paul, Justin Amash, Ted Cruz and Mike Lee.  Wisconsin’s third congressional district has opportunity to add another, Ken Van Doren.  Van Doren received endorsements from two national organizations, Liberty Candidates 2014 and the Republican Liberty Caucus, and he is strongly opposed by the Washington establishment (the best endorsement of all).  Van Doren refuses to be influenced by party bosses and his dedication to truth in government is second to none.  I hope you will join me in voting for Van Doren for Congress on August 12.

Bill Laurent

Merrillan WI