On Sunday, hundreds of Democrats in Shawnee County gathered for an annual celebration of two occasions that mark the final weekend of January each year: the anniversary of Kansas statehood, and the birthday of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Speaking to the crowd, Senator Anthony Hensley drew inspiring guidance from Franklin Roosevelt's leadership during the Great Depression to confront and overcome the Bush Recession:

"Dante tells us the sins of the cold hearted are punished differently that the those of the good hearted. Thus, the occasional failure of a government committed to charity is preferable to the constant and icy indifference of a government that refuses to try."

Personally, I was inspired.  Kansas families are looking for compassionate leadership in tough times.  I know Democrats are ready to lead, I wish I could say the same for the other folks.