Thread: Growing Number Of Members Of Congress Retiring A Bad Sign

The Growing Number Of Members Of Congress Retiring A Bad Sign

It seems like every day, we hear the news of another one or two Congressmen or Senators deciding to retire at the end of this Congress, in larger numbers than ever before.

The announced retirements are from both parties, and include members who have often served for many terms, and in many cases state the reason for leaving as wanting to spend more time with their families.

This is a cover for the reality that serving in public office is becoming a more undesirable position as the years pass. The stress level from being a public servant elected by the people is such that after some time in office, the feeling develops that it just is not worth it to deal with the constant pressures that present themselves in the modern era, with the constant public scrutiny and ideological attacks from the left and the right, that over time wear down even the strongest personalities, and makes them decide that their commitment to serve has become faced with the reality of a barrage of constant criticism which can sour anyone, no matter how idealistic he or she may have once been.

Think about it: What other profession requires as much constant scrutiny and second guessing as being a politician? And despite the fact that politicians make four to five times the average salary of a typical American, they can all earn a lot more compensation in other fields, with far less scrutiny on a daily basis, and much less criticism.

So while certainly the American people have the right to attack and criticize their politicians, in the process they may very well be causing the most talented and committed to quit, leaving us with self servers who just want to advance their career, have no idealism or true commitment, and are likely to produce far worse results in their performance than we now are complaining about.

So expecting too much from politicians may lead to greater mediocrity in the long run. Is that what we want?

http://www.theprogressiveprofessor.com/?p=11003

With the team of Pelosi and Reid in charge, it can wear out everyone subjected to their authoritarian rule.

You are giving them way too much credit. They are leaving to become lobbyists, they can make more money, their contacts already exist and they don't have to worry about what the "folks back home" might think.

Personally I believe they see the direction the country is taking so they intend to get out and make money prior to the disaster I would guess many have homes in other parts of the world as a back up. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I'm not sure how up to date this list is.

Retiring incumbents

At this point in time, 34 U.S. Representatives are retiring.

Democratic incumbents (15 incumbents)
Alabama's 7th congressional district: Artur Davis: To run for Governor of Alabama.[9]
Arkansas's 1st congressional district: Marion Berry: Retiring due to health concerns. [10]
Arkansas's 2nd congressional district: Vic Snyder: Retiring to spend more time with family.[11]
California's 33rd congressional district: Diane Watson: Retiring [7]
Florida's 17th congressional district: Kendrick Meek: To run for the U.S. Senate.[12]
Indiana's 8th congressional district: Brad Ellsworth: To run for the U.S. Senate.
Hawaii's 1st congressional district: Neil Abercrombie: To run for Governor of Hawaii.[13]
Kansas's 3rd congressional district: Dennis Moore: Retiring; "Time for a new generation of leadership."[14]
Louisiana's 3rd congressional district: Charlie Melancon: To run for the U.S. Senate.[15]
New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district: Paul Hodes: To run for the U.S. Senate.[16]
Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district: Joe Sestak: To run for the U.S. Senate.[17]
Rhode Island's 1st congressional district: Patrick J. Kennedy: Retiring to "[take] a new direction."[18]
Tennessee's 6th congressional district: Bart Gordon: Retiring; "...it's time for a new chapter"[19]
Tennessee's 8th congressional district: John S. Tanner: Retiring, reasons not known.[20]
Washington's 3rd congressional district: Brian Baird: Retiring, to pursue other options.[21]

Republican incumbents (19 incumbents)
Arkansas's 3rd congressional district: John Boozman: To run for U.S. Senate.
Arizona's 3rd congressional district: John Shadegg: Retiring to pursue other interests.[22]
California's 19th congressional district: George Radanovich: Retiring to put family obligations first.[23]
Delaware's At-large congressional district: Michael Castle: To run for U.S. Senate.[24]
Florida's 12th congressional district: Adam Putnam: To run for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.[25]
Florida's 21st congressional district: Lincoln Diaz-Balart: Retiring to do law practice.
Georgia's 7th congressional district: John Linder: Retiring [8]
Georgia's 9th congressional district: Nathan Deal: To run for Governor of Georgia.[26]
Indiana's 4th congressional district: Steve Buyer: Retiring due to wife's illness
Illinois's 10th congressional district: Mark Kirk: To run for U.S. Senate.[27]
Kansas's 1st congressional district: Jerry Moran: To run for the U.S. Senate.[28]
Kansas's 4th congressional district: Todd Tiahrt: To run for the U.S. Senate.[29]
Michigan's 2nd congressional district: Peter Hoekstra: To run for Governor of Michigan.[30]
Michigan's 3rd congressional district: Vern Ehlers: Retiring [9]
Missouri's 7th congressional district: Roy Blunt: To run for the U.S. Senate.[31]
Oklahoma's 5th congressional district: Mary Fallin: To run for Governor of Oklahoma.[32]
South Carolina's 1st congressional district: Henry E. Brown, Jr.: Retiring to spend more time with his family. [33]
South Carolina's 3rd congressional district: J. Gresham Barrett: To run for Governor of South Carolina.[34]
Tennessee's 3rd congressional district: Zach Wamp: To run for Governor of Tennessee.[35]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Sta ... ions,_2010


Retiring Democratic Senators (5 seats)
2.1.1 Christopher Dodd of Connecticut
2.1.2 Ted Kaufman of Delaware
2.1.3 Roland Burris of Illinois
2.1.4 Evan Bayh of Indiana
2.1.5 Byron Dorgan of North Dakota

2.2 Retiring Republican Senators (6 seats)
2.2.1 George LeMieux of Florida
2.2.2 Sam Brownback of Kansas
2.2.3 Jim Bunning of Kentucky
2.2.4 Kit Bond of Missouri
2.2.5 Judd Gregg of New Hampshire
2.2.6 George Voinovich of Ohio

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Sta ... ions,_2010

That article is so whiny. No one forced them into politics. No one forced them to increase their stress levels selling out the United States and the American People. If they can't "Just Say No" to authoritarian socialists, foreign lobbyists, foreign cartels, foreign governments, foreign nationals and illegal aliens, then they need to resign and do so post haste, the sooner the better.

Oh give me a break. I can tell you why they are quitting. They cant deal with the speed at which information is shared these days. Before they could play all or most of their games in secret. Most people would never realize some of the things they were doing. Only a few people would find out and by then it would be too late. BUT NOW...now...information moves along to the ENTIRE citizenry with lightning speed. Instead of just a few people trying to block their antics...they have almost everyone. If one person somewhere finds out information about something they are up to...EVERYONE KNOWS WITHIN DAYS. THE PARTY IS OVER!!! Maybe we can get some halfway honest people in there now.

Originally Posted by redpony353

Oh give me a break. I can tell you why they are quitting. They cant deal with the speed at which information is shared these days. Before they could play all or most of their games in secret. Most people would never realize some of the things they were doing. Only a few people would find out and by then it would be too late. BUT NOW...now...information moves along to the ENTIRE citizenry with lightning speed. Instead of just a few people trying to block their antics...they have almost everyone. If one person somewhere finds out information about something they are up to...EVERYONE KNOWS WITHIN DAYS. THE PARTY IS OVER!!! Maybe we can get some halfway honest people in there now.

You're so right! That is a major reason right there, redpony. They can't keep their secrets any more and they can't hide their scams. The only time you can fool an American is when we're not paying attention. Well, we're paying attention now and Boy Howdy, are we ever. We're reading 2000 page health care reform bills so we know what they actually say and what they will really do. They never had to contend with this before. They can't take the heat so they're getting out of the kitchen before they get really burned and lose their lobbying jobs.

Originally Posted by redpony353

Oh give me a break. I can tell you why they are quitting. They cant deal with the speed at which information is shared these days. Before they could play all or most of their games in secret. Most people would never realize some of the things they were doing. Only a few people would find out and by then it would be too late. BUT NOW...now...information moves along to the ENTIRE citizenry with lightning speed. Instead of just a few people trying to block their antics...they have almost everyone. If one person somewhere finds out information about something they are up to...EVERYONE KNOWS WITHIN DAYS. THE PARTY IS OVER!!! Maybe we can get some halfway honest people in there now.

I'm hopeful, but I'm not holding my breath. Been 'round too many disappointments in the past. So my enthusism is guarded.