Political Hay
A Show About Nothing
Don’t Bayh the whining.
The claim that “Washington has never been more partisan” is made every year, if not every month. Liberal pols and journalists crank up the cliché machine with clockwork regularity about a “broken system,” the lack of “civility,” and the need for “bipartisanship.” They would prefer the unity of a one-party state where a liberal Caesar could snap his fingers and enact statism overnight.
“I love helping our citizens make the most of their lives,” said Senator Evan Bayh in his swan song. “But I do not love Congress.”
What a fatuous statement. Who asked him to “make the most of their lives”? That senators even talk in these terms, relying upon New Agey drivel in the place of discernible thought, explains how the federal government went from limited to unlimited. Washington isn’t supposed to be a fantasy camp for self-appointed humanitarians; it is supposed to perform a few essential tasks well, not everything badly.
“The vast majority are good, decent people who are trapped in a system that does not let that goodness and decency translate itself into legislative accomplishments,” Bayh, referring to senators, said to Ruth Marcus of the Washington Post.
Perhaps, an impressed Marcus wrote, “politics is not the optimal venue” for such wonderful people anymore. “Maybe it’s easier to make your mark from the Gates Foundation than from a Senate seat. Maybe the CEO of Google — your average Google vice president, even — wields more influence over people’s lives than an individual member of Congress.” Oh, my.
The assumption underlying arrogant prattle along these lines this week is that visible and ceaseless activity rather than restraint and limitation define a good federal government. It is only “functioning” if Evan Bayh and company get to appear at ribbon-cutting ceremonies to mark the creation of a new government job. It is only “bipartisan” if both sides agree to move to the mid-point between two bad ideas. It is only “civil” if the two parties are colluding to increase the size of this or that program that shouldn’t have been created in the first place. And it is only attractive to the “best and brightest” if they enjoy unfettered access to meddle in people’s lives.
Demagogic Democrats, after losses in Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, are turning faux-aristocratic, mumbling about the ingratitude of the mob. Perhaps a PBS symposium on the “limits of democracy” will have to be held. Or maybe they can just pass around a dog-eared copy of New York magazine’s recent piece entitled “Is Democracy Killing Democracy?”
In the meantime, however, the mob needs to be humored and rendered docile by incessant propaganda about “bipartisanship.” The proper Pavlovian response to this word is vigorous head-nodding. One is expected to accept without question that it is the cure to Washington’s problems when it is usually the cause. The soaring deficits exist because of mindless bipartisanship.
“I’ve never seen it this dysfunctional,” said Joe Biden, who continues to interpret the election results not as a rebuke for proposing a takeover of a sixth of the American economy but for not completing it. “We understand why they’re angry,” he said. “We get it.” What he hears in their discontent is, “Get something going.”
A federal government that governs the most governs the best, according to this deluded thinking. If statist legislation passes, the system is humming; if it stalls, the system is “broken.” But that’s not the form of government devised by the Founding Fathers. Hence, Bayh hates their creation, “Congress,” while praising the “goodness” and “decency” of big-government pols.
Perhaps the Democrats shouldn’t be holding a healthcare summit but a Constitutional Convention to “fix” the founders’ unwieldy system.
About the Author
George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.
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martin j smith| 2.18.10 @ 7:21AM
A real stateesman would have spoken directly to the Democrat Party ( Bayh's own party ) and called them on their destructive policies. But, that is well above Bayh's grade level. He is not much better than most politicians --but in the spirit of the glass half full vs empty--I will give him credit for raising many eye brows by his move.
Curly Smith| 2.18.10 @ 7:41AM
Silly me. I always thought "bi-partisan" meant "two parties". I didn't realize that it meant "two parties advancing one agenda". Isn't there a saying "In the world of bipartisan politics the man with the worst ideas is king"?
Copyleft| 2.18.10 @ 8:41AM
The two parties ARE advancing one agenda--catering to Wall Street and lobbyists.
Of course, that's not what the government's SUPPOSED to do, but they are remarkably united on that point.
Sir| 2.18.10 @ 4:15PM
I'd LOVE to read what it is that you believe [national] government IS supposed to do. Care to step out on that branch?
Kent A Rebman| 2.18.10 @ 8:28PM
Whether your question is serious or facetious, the answer is the same in both cases. Refer to Article I, section 8 of the Constitution. There are many fine versions on line and elsewhere. Here's the one that no one seated in Congress is apparently familiar with: http://www.house.gov/house/Con.....ution.html
danfromatlanta| 2.19.10 @ 4:54PM
That's a knee-slapper! I know leftists hate capitalism, but if you think the dumbocrtaps are catering to Wall St., then how do you explain their decline to continue funding dumbocraps with their previously rich donations? Maybe it's because the dumbocrap party is exactly what you want, the American Communist party with a more acceptable name, lead by a true Marxist, and financial institutions have begun to listen to their survival instincts. Dumbocraps are out to destroy them, along with the rest of the country.
MikeD| 2.18.10 @ 8:43AM
Unfortunately, 'Bipartisanship' has come to mean: "Republicans Dutifully Letting Democrats Have Their Way." Sort of like when Bush the Elder forgot his "No New Taxes; Read My lips!" pledge. That political collapse, along with Ross Perot's vindictive run, made Bush '41 a lame duck as soon as the words left his mouth.
We have two parties for a reason; if they agree, one of them is superfluous. Democrats appear to really believe that government employment for life, whether elected or civil cervice (which is really neither civil nor of service.) is their birthright. That's why they have repeatedly done anything to get into office and/or stay there. The other side of this is that we really WANT some partisanship because it gives the electorate a clear choice of which political path they prefer.
The Founding Fathers saw public service as a sort of non-royal 'noblesse oblige' where successful people would serve their country after they have built a business or career. Now, we have 'career politicians' that have entrenched themselves and added to the gravy train with amazing pensions. We need to immediately eliminate ALL pensions for elected positions and change all governmennt pensions for civil servants to 401k's. All government employees, elected annd appointed need to be covered by Medicare with a suitable upward adjustment in premium amounts to reflect the real costs of coverage.
The would also accompany the elimination of the following Departments and Agencies: Energy, Education, Housing, EPA, Transportation, Agriculture, and some others that I may have forgotten while writing this. We simply cannot afford them. It can no longer be 'Business as Usual' in Washington. We're broke and bankrupt. The sooner we get it, the better our chances to recover.
I'm finished. Have at it, gang!
bob s| 2.18.10 @ 5:12PM
Can't believe you left out HHS!
MikeD| 2.18.10 @ 5:49PM
Bob s: Thanks for the reminder. I'm old! I may have forgotton some others. Feel free to add as many as you think proper!
Kara| 2.18.10 @ 8:06PM
Well Said MikeD. : )
Christopher Holland| 2.18.10 @ 8:40PM
John McCain said he was bipartisan. That did it for me - he may as well have said he was a child molester.
There is already one Democratic Party. If you are a bipartisan then it means there are two. That is two too many.
Rosalee Adams| 2.21.10 @ 1:34AM
The founding fathers envisioned a citizen form of government where you would leave a profession, go to Washington, and then return later to whatever. However, that simply is not happening. We have the Kennedy's who feel entitled to the seat in MA so much it is referred to as 'the Kennedy seat' and then there is Byrd of West Virginia. The list is endless. It never was intended to be that way, but like so much in Washington, it has become firmly entrenched and the electorate for whatever reason have marched right along with the insanity voting for the same person over and over again as long as they bring in more and more pork to their region of the nation. The resulting mindset has become 'what is best for me must be best for the rest of the nation.'
Otis my man!| 2.18.10 @ 3:24PM
Going to Washington and then complaining about partisanship is like taking a vacation in Antartica and complaining about the snow.
Melvin| 2.18.10 @ 7:45AM
Bipartisanship is allot like racism, an overly used now meaningless word.
Ret. Marine| 2.18.10 @ 7:53AM
Bayh is typical of most if not all of the democrate party, big this, big that, is this the only measure of their worth. I never understood this mentality. A better suggestion would be, leave us the hell alone, we can do just fine without you and your arrogant input.
I have a question for all here today, why is it these do-gooders need so many days in these chambers to accomplish nothing. Hell we would be better off if they just said NO to any new legislation and set about to unravel most of the destructive legislation already in place. They could start with the un-Constitutional one first. Wean all the teet-suckers of their dependence of our money and go and get a real job. Like Bayh they might learn to be self suffecient and independent like most of the American population. I guess that's asking too much.
A.Jurgensen| 2.18.10 @ 1:15PM
Mrs. Evan Bayh sits on the Board of Wellpoint Health Insurance plus 4 other health ins. companies. A very snarky couple IMO.
old white guy| 2.18.10 @ 3:54PM
ditto. and that is not necessarily a rush ditto.
coal carrier| 2.18.10 @ 7:54AM
Could it be, when you retire from the Senate, on your own, you get to keep your full retirement? And if you are voted out, you only get to keep half?
Probably not. Weasel politicians would not let that happen.
Tom| 2.18.10 @ 8:14AM
The real question is why they have any pension at all. How many Congresspeople end up poor?
Copyleft| 2.18.10 @ 8:43AM
Roughly the same number as those who started out poor--zero.
"I'll believe we have a real democracy when I can vote for a poor person for President."
MikeD| 2.18.10 @ 9:11AM
I knew COPYLEFT couldn't pass this by without one of his/her 'brilliant' comments. To answer: There will be as many poor people running for President as there are poor people who provide jobs for other people.
Having said that, our current President is the closest we've had to a 'poor' person since Harry Truman. The difference is that Truman was an honorable man with a great 'common sense quotient'; unlike the present incompetent occupant of the White House who has never held a real job; never really worked at creating anything; got a free ride all the way through due to Affirmative Action; and never grew up in America; thus knowing almost nothing of our traditions and values. I've always wondered why he felt compelled to use several aliases at different times in his life. What WAS good old 'Barry Sotero' hiding
We've reached the ultimate Liberal nirvana: An Affirmative Action President. Unfortunately for all those really smart, competent Black Americans, Barry is clearly demonstrating why affirmative action is a failure and reflects badly on all minorities. Thank you, misguided liberals!
Copyleft| 2.18.10 @ 9:30AM
Funny how MikeD was the one to bring up race, when I was talking about wealth....
wwwexler| 2.18.10 @ 2:29PM
That is funny, Copyleft/Liberal Reader; usually you're the one whining about race.
Copyleft| 2.18.10 @ 3:26PM
You'll have to refresh my memory, Wexler... when did I mention race at all? Unless you just imagined it, as usual.
Otis my man| 2.18.10 @ 3:31PM
LBJ reported to Congress at the ripe old age of 28 with one suit and 100 dollars to his name. Most would call that poor.
He left the Presidency over 30 years later as a multi-millionaire.
How did that happen?
MikeD| 2.18.10 @ 5:58PM
Actually, Copyleft, you're the one who made the racial comment. That's what 'lefties' do; pull out the race card whenever they get in over their heads.
My comment was directed at 'Affirmative Action' which is a liberal invention devised to capitalize on white guilt to push unqualified people into positions above their heads. If THAT isn't a picture of our current situation, I don't know what one might be!
Besides, you don't know what it is like to work your butt off to get a graduate degree, move into 'Executive Row' after 20 years of accomplishment, and then hear all the remarks about how it could have never been accomplished without 'Affirmative Action'. Or have patients request other surgeons because they think they might be going under the knife at the hands of an 'Affirmative Action' beneficiary. Copyleft; you come across like a typical white, guilt ridden liberal who is going to spend everybody else's money soothing your social conscience until you run out of other people's money. Have a nice night!
Copyleft| 2.19.10 @ 8:05AM
My, what a lot of assumptions you're making! I'm glad to see you getting some exercise, jumping to so many conclusions.
This is a tangent, but I'll point out again that YOU were the one who brought up race... not me. Your snipe about affirmative action is 100% irrelevant to the topic at hand.
Why do you bother with such easily-disproven lies, when anyone can scroll up and see the truth?
Rosegrower| 2.18.10 @ 12:52PM
Actually, Lyndon B. Johnson started out as a very low-to-middle class person, but the longer he stayed in congress, the wealthier he got. And on the House side, Andre Carson of Indianapolis' Center Township is following the same career path.
Larry in Iowa| 3.16.10 @ 3:24PM
Neal Smith, former congressman from Iowa, did the same. He went to congress relatively poor and was quite wealthy when he was defeated in 1994. It helps to have "friends."
A.Jurgensen| 2.18.10 @ 1:17PM
Do you actually think that is possible? It isn't. It never was.
danfromatlanta| 2.19.10 @ 5:02PM
I don't know that I want a poor person in the White House. In a capitalist country, the majority of the wealthy are successful business people. I want someone that has proven ability to lead, and understands how to succeed in the White House. Leftists like you prefer the wealthy types like Ted Kennedy, that have never worked a day in their lives, or John Kerry that married money, for the highest office in the land. The kind of people that don't let the real world interfere with the dumbocrap fantasy of changing our country into a harmonius worker's paradise!
old white guy| 2.18.10 @ 3:56PM
coal carrier. short answer. yes.
Ned| 2.18.10 @ 8:15AM
I'm a Marine, not a squid, but I have always heard when a ship is doomed to sinking the rats are the first to know, and as a result of this knowledge, haul ass for greener, or rather, dryer pastures.
Dan| 2.18.10 @ 11:38AM
Ned you heard right. As a squid I see the Rats starting to jump ship. The USS Obama is taking on water.
Medina| 2.18.10 @ 2:46PM
Dan thank God they are jumping the ship before it does go under. It shows the truth may come out as each and every one, gives their experience with the Messiahs and spill out whatever is going on inside we do not know about yet. Lets hope something good comes out of these scared rats.
davelnaf| 2.18.10 @ 8:54AM
Yes, it was all very predictable. Democrats are happiest when they are to planning behind closed doors to ram through legislation in the dead of the night to increase the size of government and bloat an already massive budget deficit.
CRusader| 2.18.10 @ 10:03AM
Darn it, I was getting all packed up to move to Indiana so Evan Bayh could make my life better. Now I'm sad! :(
Cris Worth| 2.18.10 @ 11:17AM
I will state the obvious Evan remembered what happened to big daddy Birch, Frank Church and George McGovern in 1980. He is retreating to save his political skin for another day unlike young Republicans George Allen and Rick Santorum, who both sought one, too many public affirmations and lost everything.
JimP| 2.18.10 @ 11:20AM
Touche, Mr. Neumayr! Wonderfully well expressed.
Jim| 2.18.10 @ 11:25AM
I believe Bayh is basically falling on his political sword with purpose. He can't go against his party, but he isn't for the socialist state either. Therefore he doesn't seek another term and no doubt a Republican will win the seat and that new senator votes against "The Progrom." He thus maintains himself as a moderate Dem for a future run or position in government. The socialist state is neutralized and he looks very good. A very smooth move on his part. He certainly has gotten a lot of press. Probably more than he has ever received. Perhaps a position at Indiana University will be his while he waits for the smoke to clear.
Pete| 2.18.10 @ 11:34AM
This says it all:
"I love helping our citizens make the most of their lives," said Senator Evan Bayh.
What altruism! What an ass. This is the "I know what's best for you" attitude pervasive in DC liberals and it is as insulting as it is dangerous.
WRJonas| 2.18.10 @ 11:43AM
I do believe the rats have sensed the approaching flood , but unbelievably, they keep knocking new holes in the boat to accelerate the deluge. Now they're wondering why Republicans won't help.
The Ship of Liberal Maddness , about to sink.
JP| 2.18.10 @ 12:00PM
Funny,
I never heard one complaint from Senator Bayh during the entire sordid L' affair ObamaCare decrying Reid and Pelosi's heavy handedness. Niether he (nor Lieberman) offered one public rebuke to Reid, Nelson, or Landrieu. As a matter of fact, his vote was taken for granted.
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.18.10 @ 12:12PM
Good riddance, Senator! Don't let the door hit you in the buttocks.
Tim| 2.18.10 @ 12:53PM
Washington needs more buttocksanship.
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evan| 2.19.10 @ 12:00PM
I'm now 85 years old, so I've seen a lot of things happen. Old men often become softer as they age. I've seen men, hard-right for many years, against any form of welfare, or any Government programs designed to help the poor, suddenly begin to express that "you probably should do something to help those people", and other espressions of compassion. The behavior you see in a young man is not necessarily indicative of how he will feel and behave in his late years.
kteachums| 2.18.10 @ 1:06PM
I thought he was a Republican posing to be a Dem.
He sided with the Uglicans on many things.
rtaylortitle| 2.18.10 @ 2:33PM
Yet another "retrogressive" playing a feint on the political chessboard. He's planning a comeback at a later date as a "moderate" nominee for the Whitehouse.
DatsunMark| 2.18.10 @ 3:09PM
Bayh just can't stand all this partisanhip going on...? Gee, the Dems control the House, the Senate (now only with 59 votes), and the Presidentcy. Now the just can't have what they want any time they want it...sounds like my kids when they were 5. Casablanca: I'm shocked...shocked to see gambling going on here...Inspector, here are your winnings.
Colin Foy| 2.18.10 @ 5:01PM
And the hits just keep on coming: How do you think the media will spin Mr. Stacks political affiliation when it comes out, what ever it may be?
"I'd like to thank everyone for flying IRS airways!"
Does anybody think that this might be the opening salvo of anti fed-gov fervor which will eventually lead to marshal law, (Exactly what they want) or just a lone nut job with an ax to grind?
The plane hit around 10:00 A.M. CT yet hardly anyone was at work? I'm glad there wasn't greater lose of life but, jeeeez, how about those Gov/Bankers hours! Cheers.
jr| 2.18.10 @ 5:26PM
Well done, Neumayr. Wish you had done a little more showing exactly what Evan voted for, and against.
James Kazimir| 2.18.10 @ 8:42PM
It came to my attention on one of the talk radio or news shows that Bayh has about $13,000,000 in campaign funds that were raised by him that do NOT have to be returned. He can keep the money. No wonder Bayh is saying Bye-Bye to Congress. Virtually all of these politicians enter the Congress of modest means and come out wealthy. It is all about the money. As the Bible so aptly states it, "The LOVE of money is the root of every sort of evil." Money itself is not evil nor is having a good deal of money evil, for one with a substantial amount of money can do many good things with it, like helping others in real need.
I am skeptical about all of these poli (many) tic (blood sucking insect) ians. The politicians love the money more than they love helping the nation and the people of their districts / states.
James
JRM| 2.18.10 @ 9:40PM
If the Republicans would only agree with the Democrats that would be by-partianship. ie: Bob Dole. They always come to the rescue those Democrats. A kid has to walk a mile to school - school buses. A kid can't afford to go to college - Pell Grants. A guy doesn't want to work - welfare. Parents don't feed their children - school lunch progran, then breakfast, then dinner. A gal gets pregant - abortion on demand. You name it and they have the answer. etc etc etc.
fancy free| 2.19.10 @ 3:34AM
Why do politicians trot out wife and entire brood for occasions such as this? They leave the kids at home when they are confessing dalliances. For that matter, when they are running for something, why does their campaign material always have a folksy shot of family and pet? I had a friend once, who, looking at a postcard from a candidate, his wife and five children, said "What does this prove, other than he is a good stud?"
Watch for the solemn, tearful looking fat kid at Bayh's elbow. He was taking it hard. In ten years we will see him in Congress. It's in the DNA.
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The United States Government has become a culture of despotic bullies, tyrants and thugs. Cynically disguised as distinguished, articulate, self-appointed elitists, these vacuous, narcissistic, image-oriented hypocrites emphasize symbols over substance and reality. The pursuit of excellence is being replaced by the celebration of the artificial. Politicians are more concerned with the display of personalities and pursuit of personal power than with principles or the use of power for the common good.
Politicians have become experts at deceitful duplicity, selling their calculated positions to a public to the point where We, The People can no longer tell a fabricated image from a real person. Citizen voters are so seduced by the slick package that they often do not realize that there is nothing in it… the package is the message.
Retty| 4.9.10 @ 4:27AM
Maybe it's because the dumbocrap party is exactly what you want, the American Communist party with a more acceptable name, lead by a true Marxist, and financial institutions have begun to listen to their survival instincts. Dumbocraps are out to destroy them, along with the rest of the country. discount dumbbell sets and dumbbells sets for sale
wargunfan| 2.19.10 @ 10:11PM
Ladies and gentlemen we hold in our hands (literally) the power to moot all of the self serving treason going on in Washington today. I submit to you that a House and Senate composed of 100% new members have a better chance of returning the nation to republican government than the bloated and bloviating Republicrats currently entrenched there. They are entrenched because we entrenched them and we can unentrench them starting in November and continuing in 2012 and 2014. How could we possibly do any worse than we have to date in choosing to reelect the authors of our current fiscal and legislative disasters. We can choose to retake our government or we can just continue to rearrange the deck chairs as the USS Obama steams on towards the iceberg.
Rosalee Adams| 2.21.10 @ 1:47AM
I'd say the ship has already sprung a leak and it is only a matter of time before it becomes a full fledged sinker............
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