Two Democrats ready to oppose Rep. Ryan

There we were, trollling The Internets on a snowy Saturday afternoon, when what should we find (Thanks, Kay!): not one but two websites promoting Democratic candidates set to run against Paul Ryan, Wisconsin's 1st District Republican Congressman since 1998. One website was launched in June, the other in November; guess we've been sleeping.

We haven't met either Paulette Garin or Marge Krupp, but we've got some background and campaign information from their websites, whose links you can -- and should -- check out yourselves. Looks to us as though the Jeffrey Thomas era (four tries; best effort garnering 37% of the vote) is over. Fifth time's the charm?

Paulette Garin writes: "There will never be a better time to remove our GOP incumbent than 2008. We can link him and his voting record to the failed president he has blindly chosen to follow.

"It is my plan as your future Congresswoman to fight for Universal Health Care, ensure a quality education for all of our children, and demand an accountable government. I will be relentless in my efforts to protect our precious Civil Liberties, American jobs, and the environment. I will demand that our troops be brought home. Our Republican incumbent has failed at every one of the above mentioned issues, either by voting “NO!” or failing to take any action."

Garin's blog says her campaign kickoff fundraiser will be on Jan. 6, from 3-5 p.m., at the Boat House Pub, 4917 7th Ave., Kenosha.

Paulette Garin was born May 19, 1962, in Kenosha. Her father and campaign treasurer, Walter R. Garin, served as Local 960 Treasurer for over 30 years and was president of the Kenosha Union Club.

She graduated cum laude from UW-Whitewater with a BA in music, and worked as director of marketing for an IT consulting firm, later teaching piano from her home for 17 years. She earned an MA in Education in curriculum and instruction from Loyola University, Chicago, and became the music teacher at St. Paul Lutheran School, and later at 21st Century Preparatory School in Racine. In 2005 she earned a BS in business administration and accounting from UW-Parkside, graduating magna cum laude.

Health care: "I am most in favor of a universal, single-payer, not-for-profit health care plan that would be modeled after Medicare and would provide coverage to all Americans."

Education: "As an educator, I have seen first hand that the current state of public education in this country is at risk of leaving every child behind. New programs to support the underperforming have often been inadequately implemented due to improper funding. In the meantime, we fall behind in producing students ready to compete in a global economy.... The 'No Child Left Behind' program as it stands now must be overhauled."

Fiscal Responsibility: "I was raised fiscally responsible. My grandfather always said, 'It does not matter how much money you made, but how much you saved.' Our current president and his followers have driven this country into unimaginable debt with their privileged class tax cuts, irresponsible budget practices, and a war tab escalating out of control... I will work diligently against unfair tax cuts."

Iraq War: "The Iraq War has surpassed being an issue. It is the most unfortunate remnant to be left behind by the current failed administration. It is what happens when we, as a nation, allow ourselves to be manipulated by the politics of war."

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Marge Krupp, who says she expects her campaign to cost $2 million, writes that Ryan "...consistently represents the privileged few at the expense of working families, and holds stubborn support for President George Bush's war in Iraq even after the voters spoke clearly in November of 2006 that we the people want a different direction. I felt so strongly I resigned my marketing job to devote my full time and talents to my campaign to defeat Paul Ryan. I decided to run for Congress because I feel a duty to my country to end the lies and half truths that President George W. Bush and Ryan stubbornly adhere to."

Marge Krupp was born on May 30, 1956, in Racine, graduating with honors from Horlick High School. In 1978, she received a BS from UW-Milwaukee in chemical process engineering, and an MBA from Northwestern University in 1983, with honors. She holds a Professional Engineer License in Wisconsin.

She worked at SC Johnson in consumer and engineering project management, and at Abbot Labs since 1990. She and her husband, Dan live in Pleasant Prairie; their son, Andrew, attends UW-Whitewater.

Ending the war in Iraq: "The choice is between Bush and Ryan's support for indefinite occupation and my demand for a real plan that will bring our troops home and strengthen our national security. While our soldiers have accomplished everything that has been asked of them, there is still no plan from Bush and Ryan to start bringing our troops home."

Working for solutions to the Health Care Crisis: "Americans are ready for an honest discussion about health care. Southeastern Wisconsin pays the most in the nation for health care. We have to approach this issue with a pragmatic, open-minded, can-do attitude. Both the health of our citizens and the health of our economy are at stake."

Supporting Working Families: "Congressman Paul Ryan refused to support a bill that provides protections for workers to form unions - Employee Free Choice Act HR 1696. Americans have died for the right to form Labor Unions. Congressman Ryan has no right to weaken what was so valiantly fought for."