Dreams gone Bayh

Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., shocked the state and the nation last week when he announced he would not be seeking re-election.

Bayh’s reason for leaving is most significant. Leaving speculation on his true motives aside, Bayh spoke about his frustration with the stubborn partisanship of the Senate.
He mentioned he could create more jobs by starting a new business than by being a man of power in our government.

We can relate to Bayh’s frustration. Congressional Democrats have been unable to get most of President Obama’s agenda through despite the significant majorities they gained in the 2008 elections.

For our bright-eyed young generation, it has been discouraging to see those for whom we campaigned so hard bumbling around in their offices.

While we sympathize with Bayh, we can’t help but be discouraged that he’s throwing in the towel.

As Bayh expressed his feelings, we cried, “Yes! You understand the situation!” and proceeded to groan as we realized his stepping down would mean he won’t be around to make the changes he hopes to see.

Bayh hasn’t exactly shaken the Democratic tree when attempting to get things done, and because of this, his “retirement” seems premature. Was there really nothing else the man could do to fix the system? If he wants the system to change, is he really so humble that he thinks someone can do it better than he?

At a time when we need people in the Senate who share our feelings, our spokesman is stepping down.

Bayh’s move is less like Atlas relieving himself of his burden after eons of strain and more like a boy deciding he’s finished with t-ball after spending a few innings taking swings.

Bayh’s move also makes the situation harder for the Democrats he both loves and hates. As the man mentions his distaste for his peers’ ineffectiveness, he compounds the problem by turning tail and thinking only of himself.

At least he’s going to finish out the rest of his term. It will be interesting to see how the man constantly mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidate will vote for the rest of the year without that window open.