These two men are the “poster children” for what’s really wrong with Congress and American Politics

You only need to look at their recently announced retirements – Bayh’s came yesterday and Moore’s was back in November 2009 - in order to divine that something is seriously amiss. 

They are NOT Liberal Democrats.  These are both very mainstream Centrists, at times even leaning a bit to the Conservative side.  Moreover, it is highly unlikely either one of them would have lost their seats in the next election cycle.  They were both very popular – especially with independents and Republican moderates – and they both have huge campaign war chests.

So why quit?

Evan Bayh’s stated reasons given at the press conference for his retirement announcement yesterday speaks volumes:

“There is too much partisanship and not enough progress — too much narrow ideology and not enough practical problem-solving,” he said yesterday. “Even at a time of enormous challenge, the peoples’ business is not being done.”

And although Dennis Moore has not stated the same sentiments publicly – and I have known Dennis for a number of years – I have a very strong visceral instinct that such is the case.  If so, we are witnessing the disappearance of the political Centrists/Moderates, and an even greater polarization of the political spectrum. 

Moreover, the inexplicable hatred of President Obama by the Right Wing - and blanket criticism of everything he does (or does not do) – defies logic and reason.  Because of this insane hatred and the incendiary punditry, we are now treading down a very dangerous pathway;  it does not bode well for the future of our country, or the security of this nation.

Are you listening America?