Transcript from the Second Online Listening Session   Russ_Feingold Welcome and thank you for participating in my second national online listening session. I've held 979 listening sessions in Wisconsin since I was elected in 1992, and also held 6 listening sessions in other states over the last year. These town hall type meetings are one of the favorite parts of my job because they give me the ability to hear first hand about the issues people are concerned about. I'm excited that so many people are here today, so lets get started so I can answer as many questions as time allows. Please feel free to ask a question, say what's on your mind, or just feel free to read what others are saying. matt_from_milwaukee Sen. Feingold, I am a 51 yr old student at UWM going for a teaching certification. In the last 1.5 yr my tuition has increased 48% without a corresponding increasing in the available federal loans. Each yr it is becoming more and more difficult to find the funds to keep me in school. Is anything being done to help students find the $ to pay their costs? Russ_Feingold Some things are being done to help students afford college, but not enough. Despite some gains in the level of Pell grants in the Clinton years, things have slowed down. These grants are supposed to cover 80% of the costs and just a little over $4000 does not cut it. We should aggressively seek, and I am working on this, to raise this level to $10,000 by the end of the decade.  Kristine_from_Pennsylvania What is your reaction to Tuesday's election in CT, and will you be campaigning for Ned Lamont? Russ_Feingold I think the results in Connecticut were among the most significant election results in recent years. Ned Lamont's victory represents the American people's enormous frustration with our policy in Iraq. I support Ned, have contributed significantly to his campaign, and have offered to help out in any way he wants.  Joseph_from_texas Do you feel that public funding of campaigns and strict limits on contributions would start to heal our current political problems? If yes, is there any realistic way to achieve this?  Russ_Feingold Absolutely. This is the ultimate way to reform our campaign finance system and it is not pie in the sky. In fact, systems like this are already working well in Maine and Arizona. This kind of financing should be applied to congressional races as well as to fix the financing of presidential systems.  Patricia_from_Washington_state My husband and I are both retired with medical disabilities which require many more prescription medications and more costly ones than the average retired couple by far. For the past three years we've averaged together, $19,000. We do have a discount program that helps, but besides going to Canada and/or trusting other options, can we ever all be assured of a better system where medications costs are more reasonably and fairly determined? HELP!! We are losing so much money. We can't keep this up.  Russ_Feingold Sadly, I hear this everywhere. I have always believed that without limits on the ability of drug companies to exploit new systems we will not solve the problem. One of the priorities in January should be to pass the law permitting the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices. Otherwise, the drug companies will continue to get away with this highway robbery.  Stuart_from_New_Jersey To win back the House and Senate do you favor the strategy of concentrating the financial resources in the say 50 districts in the House and 15 Senate races rather then a country wide effort, and what are you doing to promote this strategy in the respective election commitees? Russ_Feingold Overall, a 50 state political strategy is necessary to really have the kind of results we need in November. As I have traveled across the country to places like Alabama and Tennessee, I have heard from many Democrats who feel their party has neglected them. This has to stop. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with wisely targeting financial resources in certain races to have major success. One way I am implementing the 50 state strategy is through the creation of the Patriot Corp program to train field organizers and place them on races throughout the country.  Mike_from_Michigan Senator, will you vow to stop filibustering legislation/judicial nominees that represent the WILL OF THE PEOPLE and recognize that democracy, as practiced in the US sometimes means that your side LOSES elections? Or, do you favor the rule by a minority elite of liberals and activist judges instead of by and for the "people"? Yes or no? Russ_Feingold No. Stewart_From_New_York Senator, Joe Lieberman's primary defeat has unleashed a torrent of criticism toward the "liberal" blogosphere, not only from the predictable right, but also from elements of the "centrist" inside-the-Beltway punditocracy, whom I believe are seriously threatened by the transformational power of activist bloggers and the immediacy of small-d democratic Internet communication. What's your opinion of bloggers as they relate to political campaigns and issues, of "Net neutrality", and by extension the insidious effort of large Telcomm entities to privatize the Internet and eventually control traffic? Russ_Feingold People actually controlling their democracy is scary to the special interests, isn't it? The blogosphere is a great tool for democracy and I wish it had been around when I started my political career.  Debra_from_kewaunee_county Hi Russ! I am a teacher in Luxemburg and am considering taking a job in Green Bay but am concerned that any raise I may get by doing that will go directly into my gas tank. Do see any possible tax dectuction, price freeze, or any other type of relief for these high gas prices? How can the average worker continue to pay an extra $300/month to live in a community like Luxemburg which is 15 miles away from a major industrial area like Green Bay? Couldn't it be very easily argued that gasoline had become a necessity in our current society? Russ_Feingold We will not be able to drill our way out of this problem. Alternative energy technologies are growing rapidly including ethanol, biodiesel, wind power and many others. The federal government needs to heavily fund these technologies to get us away from the situation we are constantly facing.  Jim_from_New_York Social Security: Right now, wages and salary above $90,000 per year aren't taxed. I'd like to see that cap raised or eliminated. Do you favor that change, and do you think it might get Congressional approval? Russ_Feingold I do favor this, and more importantly, the people of Wisconsin strongly favor this change as whenever somebody brings up social security reform at a listening session this proposal always generates the most support. Although it may take time, it is inevitable it will be a long term solution to the solvency of the Social Security system.  Dave_from_California In lieu of the recent headlines in the newspaper, how does one balance the necessary need for covert tools to find terrorists with the desire to have a country that cherish its freedoms? Russ_Feingold I recognize and support the value of intelligence gathering including lawful surveillance. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I believe now more than I ever have that this Administration can do what it needs to do to protect the American people without violating our laws. There is no need to have the power to wiretap people who are doing absolutely nothing wrong.  Susan_from_California What do you think are the 3 most important domestic issues in the upcoming 2006 Congressional races AND 2008 Presidential race? Russ_Feingold Health care, Energy independence and jobs. JoAnn_from_Wisconsin Until recently, I was unaware of the President's opportunity to establish the option to not abide by the legislation he is signing into effect. (I can't remember the exact term used for this) This greatly surprised me -- that this can be done and that I hadn't heard of it before. Perhaps it's getting more discussion right now since President Bush has used it more than all previous Presidents put together (or so I've read). This seems to circumvent Congressional oversight since the President can in effect conditionally "veto" legislation without it returning to Congress for potential veto over-ride. What's your understanding of this" How did it come to exist? Do you support its continued use? Russ_Feingold This Administration has twisted the opportunity the President has to comment on legislation he is signing into another unprecedented power grab. As even many Republicans have indicated, this White House has done this 700 times as a way to evade the clear meaning of the laws the President is signing. It cannot be tolerated and fortunately, Republican Senator Arlen Specter is introducing legislation to deal with this problem.  Dan_from_Wisconsin How do you feel about the gay marriage and civil unions ban?and please explain why. Russ_Feingold I strongly opposed in this way with people's personal lives. I hope that Wisconsin will be the first state to defeat this mean spirited constitutional amendments and be a national movement to stop exploiting attitudes towards gay people as a political tool.  Edrie_from_VA The genocide in Darfur continues, with the African Union troops ill-equipped, undermanned, and without a mandate to actually protect innocent civilians. The UN is still dithering because Khartoum won't agree to UN troops coming into Sudan. What would you do to end this horror? Russ_Feingold The United States has to again become a great leader on this issue as it was in the beginning when Colin Powell labeled this genocide. We need an envoy here and we must work within the United Nations to assist the African Union which cannot do it by itself.  Leah_From_Illinois Do you support the Israeli military action against Hezbolla in Lebanon? How do you feel the current administration is handling the situation diplomatically? Is there anything you would do differently? Russ_Feingold I have suggested to the Administration that it immediately appoint a special envoy here as well - someone who has broad respect within the international community, like George Mitchell or Colin Powell or James Baker - whose sole job is to deal with this situation. Condoleeza Rice has so many tasks to deal with, from North Korea to Iran, to Iraq, to Somalia, to the Middle East, there simply isn't enough time for one person to give the situation in Lebanon adequate attention. Finally, people have to understand that the instability in this region is in part a direct byproduct of our Iraq policy. The negative actors in the region know it.  Kevin_Rymut Senator, I'm looking for ways to get involved with the Democratic Party. However, I'm 17, and I've found that my activities have been limited to blogging and engaging in thoughtful debate. Would you have any suggestions on ways that I could at least attempt to make a difference in the political atmosphere of this nation? Russ_Feingold We need you on the ground as well helping us canvas and volunteering in candidate's headquarters as well as taking your good ideas to public forums. Without the young volunteers in my campaign organizations, I doubt I would have won any of my elections that I have had the thrill of winning over the last 24 years.  cmeyer2 When will your annual picnic be held in Middleton. Russ_Feingold The event will be held on Sunday, August 14th from 10:00am-12:00pm at Lakeview Park in Middleton. For those in Milwaukee, the picnic will be from 3:00pm-5:00pm at Grant Park. debbie_from_WI How do you envision your health care initiative working in, say, Wisconsin? Would this reform then encompass Medicare and Medicaid patients? Russ_Feingold It would be entirely up to the state and could very well include Medicare and Medicaid, as long as they move toward universal health care with benefits comparable to those offered to federal employees.  Russ_Feingold Acutally the picnic events someone asked about earlier is this Sunday the 13th not the 14th. Sorry. Joette_from_Wisconsin More than any other time in history, we are starting to see serious effects from global warming. Much of this is coming from CO2 gases, 25% of which come from the United States (U.S. and Austrailia are largest countries in world not to agree to sign Kyoto treaty). What types of actions do you propose to get the United States on board with the rest of the world to reduce these harmful gases? Russ_Feingold The first thing is to make Al Gore's movie and book required for every Member of Congress. Some of the pages only have 1 line and large pictures. This benefited me. Once you read it or see the movie, a person cannot help but be motivated to act on this critical matter. Randy_from_Oregon First, Senator Feingold, thanks for your hard work and this forum. How do we, as progressive Americans who love our country, fight the fact that the media, really scared neocons, and Republicans desperate to keep their jobs paint us as "anti-war extremists" or "pre-9/11 liberals"? I ask this as a proud American who supported going into Afghanistan but can't stomach how we got into Iraq and what we have done there. Thanks!  Russ_Feingold I couldn't agree with you more and want you to know if you straightforwardly say what you just said and point out what a mistake the Iraq war was in the larger fight against those terrorists who attacked us on 9/11, you will prevail. The phony arguments for going into the Iraq war are now being matched by the phony arguments to stay in Iraq and the public realizes the Administration is trying to deceive them again. Dave_from_Arizona We've never had a single (much less twice divorced) Jewish President ... If you were to run for President how much of your personal life do you think would "play" in a national campaign? BTW ... I have NO doubt you can overcome anything! Run Russ Run! Russ_Feingold I think my personal life is sufficiently boring and the issues facing America are so compelling that people will focus on the latter, if I end up running. don_from_wisconsin I clear about $500 a month on Social Security. When I die my wife will not receive any of that money. Members of Congress, however, are under no such restrictions, retiring at their last salary for life and, if I understand it correctly, their spouses will receive half that amount. Would you be willing to sponsor legislation that would include the Congress under the Social Security program? Russ_Feingold Fortunately, some of what you said was never true and all of what you said is no longer true. I certainly will not get a pension the size of my current salary and we all pay into Social Security as most everyone else does. When someone did not believe me, I had a staff member pull out my pay stub which showed the Social Security deduction.  ed_from_ohio How often do you read Marcus Auerelius' meditations? Elsewise, how do you maintain your compusure and, it seems, sincerely respectful demeanor, when partaking in some of these committee hearings I have witnessed on c-span.  Russ_Feingold I had planned to read Marcus Auerelius' Meditations during this exact time but decided to do this online listening session. johnny_at_the_beach i just want to shout out to Trev and Slich. Russ_Feingold Hope you are not too hung over from your birthday yesterday, Captain. Dave_from_California How do you defend yourself against attacks made by the Bush administration that getting out of Iraq or not supporting the Patriot Act is giving support to the terrorists? Russ_Feingold It is painfully obvious this Administration has bungled the fight against terrorism by becoming obsessed with Iraq and threatening the freedoms of law abiding Americans. Let's get back to the task at hand. Eric_from_Colorado To the moderator: Will a transcript of this session be available later? Russ_Feingold Yes a transcript will be available on our website shortly. Russ_Feingold Unfortunately that will have to the final question for today's listening session. I've really enjoyed answering your questions and listening to your concerns and wish my schedule allowed more time to continue this dialogue. Thank all of you again for sharing in the one of what I hope will be many online Listening Sessions. I'll be appearing on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" on ABC this Sunday, and I hope you'll be able to tune in. Thanks again for being a part of our second national online listening session.