I think conservatives across the country have something to learn from the Senate race shaping up in Minnesota.  Mr. Franken has thrown his hat in the ring, and has apparently closed the gap a bit since his initial announcement.  Now, hold your mouse button, before all you conservatives here on Townhall decide to click to a new page or lynch me.  I am not advocating for Mr. Franken.  I've read his position statements on his website, and I do not agree with a single thing he has to say.  I also do not find his resume to be up to snuff.  Personally, I do not think a rather mediocre comedian, with several rather mediocre movies and a failed radio station that was supposed to be the bane of Conservative Talk Radio's existence is the stuff of Senatorial aspirations.  But I have to take my hat off to the man.  Let me tell you why.

I read the conservative blogs, listen to the news on the radio, read quite a few articles from both conservative and liberal sources.  All day I see headlines from various news magazines.  And there is a consistent sense of doom and gloom from both sides of the political spectrum.  Worse, there is an overwhelming sense of whining all around.  There are a few shining lights.  Newt Gingrich in his Winning the Future column is consistently upbeat.  Not only that, but he is working with others to offer solutions to the difficulties our country is facing.  Thomas Sowell, even when decrying some of the more absurd activities of government is generally upbeat in his writing.  Doug Giles is usually witty and upbeat, although not necessarily politically oriented.  And there are others.  But mostly, we hear a lot of whining, from the Democrats about how awful the Republicans have been for the past six years.  From the Republicans about how horrible the Democrats are right now.  I hear this grumbling from those around me.  People complaining about the lack of honesty, leadership, and direction from our politicians.  And yet all any of them do is sit and grumble, whine and complain.

I truly hope the good people of Minnesota do not put Mr. Franken in the Senate.  I believe that the three ring circus we call Washington, DC has enough clowns these days.  It could use a few more ring masters.  But I have to admire Mr. Franken.  He sees a situation with his government that he doesn't like.  He sees people in charge of his government that he feels are leading up in the wrong direction.  And, being as this is America, with a government of the people, he chose to put his money where his mouth is and try to do something about the things he doesn't like.  As I said before, I don't agree with him.  Being as this is America, that is my right.  But I do admire anyone who is willing to put themselves on the line for their beliefs.  More Americans need to do so.

So, my fellow conservatives, who among you is ready to take that challenge?  I know, the deck is stacked.  I know it takes money to run a campaign.  I know the press will look into every dark corner, and find a few that probably don't exist.  I know I'm unelectable to any kind of major office.  I'm twice divorced, mother of five, broke most of the time, a Bible thumping Christian, and the list goes on.  Yet, if I could find the financing, I'd still be willing to do it, just because I'm pretty sure I could still do a better job than most of the folks we've got running the asylum now.  Are you sick and tired of the way politics in this country works?  Are you tired of the government ignoring the folks they are supposed to serve?  Are you ready for a change?  Well, the time has come.  Start looking into the background of all those running for office in your next elections.  If you don't like any of the options, there's still time to get in the race.  If we don't take responsibility for the running of our country, how do we expect to hold anyone else accountable for their actions?

So, Mr. Franken, though I can't say that I wish you well in your race, my hat is off to you for being man enough to stand by your convictions.  I hope some conservatives will heed the call as well.