As a country, we face critical issues. Questions on homeland security, combating terrorism, an economy that daily is besieged by mushrooming deficits, a health care crisis, a war that continues to sap our country's resources with little end in sight, a growing poverty problem - large issues, challenges and problems that need to be wrestled with by our country's leaders.

What does Mike Liffrig, a "serious" candidate for the U.S. Senate do? He targets and scapegoats a group of our own citizens, paints an incredible picture of lies at the expense of real people trying to live real lives in our state and country. Taxpayers and productive citizens deserve better than to be used for some guy's attempt to mount a candidacy. Through shock, innuendo and a lame sense of humor at the expense of these citizens, he tries to provoke fear and maybe gain a few knee -jerk votes.

Does the tactic in the ad represent the values of the North Dakota Republican Party? If it does - shame.

The North Dakota Progressive Coalition strongly objects to the low degree that this ad brings to campaigning in North Dakota. North Dakotans value civil discourse, they want to discuss the serious issues, they wish to do so in a respectful manner, and they want the truth. This ad demonstrates nothing of North Dakota values.

Barry Nelson is chairman of the Fargo chapter of the North Dakota Progressive Coalition.