Yesterday, I came out swinging on both the candidates in the 3rd District Congressional race. Now I have to correct myself. If you read this piece in the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas, you’ll notice a couple of interesting points. Democrat Woody Anderson, regardless of my ranting, has tried to take his opponent to task on a number of measures. He talked to a few people yesterday in Fayetteville, laying out his support for a simplified prescription drug program, alternative fuels and the end of corporate welfare. Bravo, that’s what you should be doing.

Congressman Boozman on the other hand responded to that with very little substance. Instead of replacing the drug program, Rep. Boozman wants it “fixed.” We’re not sure exactly what that means. Replacement sounds fine for what Congress crafted — but what still doesn’t work for anyone except big pharma. Alternative fuels are a good idea, even Wal-Mart is interested in this. Rep. Boozman told reporters that he’s interested as well, but still feels we need to drill for more oil in the U.S. Hasn’t he listened to his own president who said America is “dependent on oil?”

Here’s the sticker — Rep. Boozman has been on watch in DC. Many of these problems have taken place courtesy of his (and others) votes. If he created the problem, now’s the time to come up with solutions. Withdrawing from Iraq is just one example of where the Congressman misses the mark by failing to provide anything in the place of leadership short of a loud and resounding “me too!” We like Mr. B, but we also admire Anderson’s service as a Captain in the Guard. And, at least Anderson has started coming up with some proposals, although perhaps too little, too late.

Again, this is a sign that Rep. Boozman doesn’t think (or know) about the changing and shifting sands of Arkansas politics. State revenue numbers are out today, and they show a picture of a slowing economy in the natural state. Our roads still have problems, but even in a Republican controlled Congress, all he could do was get the roads repaved in from of Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville. Just doesn’t seem right, does it?

Still, the most accursed part of this race is the apparent voter apathy toward the outcome. Voters from both parties need to buck the status quo and do their part to become part of the progress and the future of the rest of America by paying attention to what they’re getting for their investment in Congress.

One other correction — Mr. Boozman did vote in favor of a Republican “poison pill” bill to hike the minimum wage, and essentially give away the candy store to those in the “corporatocracy” in America. The two cancel each other out.

- Chris