Congressman Ron Kind made a stop in Black River Falls on Monday, giving area residents an opportunity to get input from the U.S. representative who is up for re-election this November.

The session was held at the Jackson County Courthouse. Kind, who lives in La Crosse with his wife, Tawni, and two sons, represents the 3rd Congressional District of Wisconsin. He said the hot topic at the listening session was the nation's economy crisis, a problem that needs both short and long term answers.

"It will require a comprehensive national energy strategy to wean ourselves off of dependence on foreign oil," Kind, 45, told the Chronicle following the listening session. He said a possible solution is a greater investment in alternative and renewable forms of energy.

Another issue brought up at the listening session, Kind said, was the housing crisis, which is part of decline in the economy. "One of the things I'm very leery about is privatizing profits but socializing losses," he said. Kind said when large business firms experience loss, it is taxpayers who feel the cost.

"Taxpayers have to come bail them out and it doesn't make sense we continue that," Kind said. He said he is calling for a new economic policy that keeps up with rising costs, as well as health care reform coupled with the long term energy plan to reduce the strain on working families.

Kind said an issue that was not brought up was the war in Iraq, which he said is normally a popular topic at listening sessions. He said it is likely the topic is overshadowed by the state of the economy and energy prices.

Kind is seeking re-election for his sixth term in office. He was first elected to Congress in 1996. He said the official kickoff of his fall campaign will be the annual Corn Roast at the La Crosse County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 6.

As for a larger election being held this fall, Kind said the choice is simple. "If you think we're in desperate need of a new direction, Barack Obama is the best hope for offering this new direction for our country," he said. "It's either four more years of this or it's time for a change."