Voters of the First District have two distinct choices this election for U.S. House of Representatives.



There�s no question what the district will get by re-electing Rep. Tim Huelskamp � an antagonistic extremist who would rather see that nothing at all gets done if it�s not done in exactly the way he demands.



Jim Sherow, on the other hand, offers an alternative � a representative who is pragmatic, well-educated on the issues and willing to work with other members of the House to serve the interests of Kansas and the country.



Huelskamp�s message is tired, threadbare and empty. All of the problems in the world can�t be traced to Barack Obama or Nancy Pelosi. In fact, some of the blame rests with the U.S. House of Representatives and members such as Huelskamp, who have relied on irrational fear to justify their obnoxious approach to governance. And it�s more than a little contradictory that Huelskamp warns that Washington, D.C., is a vile place that means us harm while telling us that he is different than everybody else.



Huelskamp�s abrasive style got him booted from the House Agricultural Committee, the first time in 100 years that Kansas has lacked representation for its largest industry. He has an unhealthy obsession with Obama, and his positions, while seemingly genuine, are based on the misguided idea that the market cures all ills and that government can do no good.



Sherow, on the other hand, can point to his work as mayor of Manhattan as proof of his ability to work with others to achieve a common goal. Consequesntly, Manhattan is not just one of the fastest growing cities in Kansas but in America. That was achieved by deploying a deliberate plan for growth that leveraged resources of both local government and private business. In Huelskamp�s world, only the market creates, yet the nation�s infrastructure � our roads, railways, airports, water systems � defy that faulty logic.



It will be difficult for many voters of the First District to elect a Democrat to national office, but a Democrat is better than the ineffective representation we�ve seen with Huelskamp. The current congressman � through his abrasive demeanor and empty message � is damaging the interests of Kansans and weakening our role in leading the nation toward sensible solutions for serious and pressing problems.



Sherow offers voters a chance send a sensible representative to Washington who would represent Kansas instead of a tired and worn platform that generates energetic talking points but accomplishes absolutely nothing.



By Jason Probst/Hutchinson News editorial board