Congressman Andrew Kim D-NJ:

Number one. Ever since I was a kid, I had to go the dentist a lot, and it just always freaked me out. I just can't understand why, with the advances in technology, why some of those tools that they use can't be less scary. Just, you know, less intense of an environment.

Number two. You know, my oldest son is going through potty training right now. And just the other day I was driving with him in the back of the car and we were stuck in traffic on a street with no ability to pull over and no shoulder. And I'm just thinking in my head, what if he says he needs to go?

Number three. I’m worried about the balance in my life between family and time. As for my marriage, my wife has been so patient with me, and I spend half the week, at least, away from her, away from our two baby boys. She's a full time worker as well. I do worry, and I'm scared that I'm asking too much of her sometimes.

Number four. Missing too much of my kids’ childhood.

Number five. That we can't stop the worst of climate change. My district in New Jersey that I represent got crushed by Superstorm Sandy. I'm still talking to hundreds of people here who still aren't back in their homes six years after the storm. So there a recognition that it's looming and that were very much at the front lines of this.

Number six. Mental health and addiction problems. I worked as a civilian adviser out in Afghanistan, and I remember coming back and seeing some of the armed service men and women that I worked with struggling from PTSD and it was hard for them to admit that they were struggling, and we don't make it easier for them. As a member of Congress now I try to think about what it is we can provide on a societal level. But I struggle with that just on a very personal level. I don't know what to do for them.

Number seven. The possibility of war in the Middle East.

Number eight. I'm scared of bee stings. I try to signal to the bee to move on while not angering it to the point that it will consider stinging me.

Number nine. That we're losing empathy in our world.

Number ten. When I was a kid we would run out of gas on the side of the road. This is a time well before cell phones. You have no idea where the nearest gas station is. Is it in front of you? Is it behind you? Who knows. You got kids in the back. Times have changed. But certainly for me, once a tank of gas starts to hit a quarter tank left, you gotta start thinking about when you're going to be able to fill up next. My wife is very different. She is totally willing to let that red light come on in the car. By that time I'm just a mess.  

I'm Congressman Andy Kim and these are 10 things that scare me.