Dear Representative Nancy Boyda,

I had such high hopes. I was actually ridiculously head-over-heels excited to see you elected to represent me in the United States House of Representatives. After more than a decade of truly horrendous representation, I was just so, so excited to see you sworn in.

Saying I "had" high hopes isn't quite right- I still do. And, for the most part, you haven't disappointed me, a fact with which I would imagine most of your constituents would agree. Thank you for your votes on the war, thank you for investing money in domestic programs, and thank you for treating our veterans right after so many years of neglect. Your actions on those issues, and your constant trips back home and the hundreds of hours of public meetings you've held have made you the best Member of Congress this district has had in longer than I've been alive.

But, Rep. Boyda, when you have stumbled, you've stumbled badly.

Do you ever get tired of being so... progressive? Do you ever just wish we could all put the breaks on all these crazy "advances" in society?

Would that just make things so much more... quiet? The status quo is so relaxing!

If you do feel the way I do, join with me and pledge to vote Republican this November. We'll all get exactly what we deserve!

See, I was just being polite.

I didn't have to hold the door open for her in the snow, and I certainly didn't have to speak to her.

But, there I was, getting reamed by a 30-something woman outside of the grocery store- all because I said I hoped she'd have a "Happy Holidays" instead of saying "Merry Christmas."

But, hey, nothing puts you in the holiday spirit like a lecture in freezing rain, right?

We all have to thank our lucky stars we live in a time when it isn't OK to be a racist.

Sure, there's still racism in America- just look at the situation in Jena, Louisiana and you can see that in some places and with some people racism is still a very real part of our culture. But, I believe I am safe in asserting the American people, generally, have decided that it isn't all right to hate someone because of their race.

I say that, though, knowing full well there is a creeping racism in this country that seems to be gaining steam rather than dying out. No, "mainstream America" grabbed a hold of this nasty idea and made it something that's "OK," something "everyone" thinks, so it's fine you do, too.

"But, seriously- who doesn't want all those damn illegals to go back to Mexico? And why, why, can't the ones who stay just learn English!"

CNN released a poll today that says 75% of Americans disapprove of the way Congress is working right now.

I hate to say it, but I'm in that 75%.