Quitting: all the cool policticians are doing it

WAIT WAIT!!!!!

Obama just announced a CASH for KAYAKS program.




seriously Im jealous and have fun.....

I'll pay cash for a kayak, but not as much as the government.

Martinez sent me a ridiculous form letter in response to concerns I addressed with him. Let him quit!

Lack of resolve and no respect for the constiuents who elected you, may just be a rather republican trait. Don't forget the Father of modern conservative quitters: Richard Nixon. It's all about retaining that great retirement program.

Thing is, the Senator or Congressman himself doesn't really have to do much in order to have a reputation for good constituent services. He just has to spend a certain amount of his or her staff allocation on people who are pleasant on the phone and who can write a decent customizable semi-form letter to send back after constituent inquiries. And there are many smart people who can write well who go looking for Hill jobs every year. Oh yeah, and one bulldog-like person to take care of social security, immigration and VA complaints.

It really isn't hard to give acceptable to well-regarded constituent services, and it amazes me how many Members don't realize that, even when that ends up being a prime reason why incumbents who should otherwise be safe lose seats in a shocker.

People (both dems and republicans) quit jobs all the time - so what. He was hired (by the people of Florida) for a job (Florida Senate) he could be fired by the people (voted out of office), and just like any other job - he has the right to quit for whatever reason he wants.

Is becoming President of the United States the only acceptable reason to quit a job such as in the case of Barack Obama

I wish more of them (on both sides) would quit.

A question. If, at your employment, you had a boss you didn't like or couldn't stand, co-workers who wouldn't listen to your suggestions, were uncooperative and downright rude, a work place that was plagued by innuendo and deceit and you had another alternative other than your job, available to you, that improved your life, state of mind and happiness, would you take it? Be truthful, now. Many constituents do not get respect or consideration from their elected representatives, what makes continuing to serve them so sacrosanct when the people with which you work could care less about you or them.

A question. If, at your employment, you had a boss you didn't like or couldn't stand, co-workers who wouldn't listen to your suggestions, were uncooperative and downright rude, a work place that was plagued by innuendo and deceit and you had another alternative other than your job, available to you, that improved your life, state of mind and happiness, would you take it? Be truthful, now. Many constituents do not get respect or consideration from their elected representatives, what makes continuing to serve them so sacrosanct when the people with which you work could care less about you or them.

Andy, I don't understand your point...are you saying Martinez didn't like his Boss? (he is a Senator, he works for the people of Florida; that he didn't like his constituents( the same people as his Boss), didn't like his co-workers (he and Sen Nelson seem to get along fine--)I'm confused by your post.

Martinez sent me a ridiculous form letter in response to concerns I addressed with him. Let him quit!

same experience as you. went to hs here in orlando. he's a load, the perfect example of the peter principle. perhaps he should email palin.

The mister's speculation is that Martinez has some sort of back room offer to be president of Florida Atlantic University since Frank Brogan just took the job as chancellor of Florida higher ed.

brogan married his best friend's wife...minion of jebby....total hack

So it's okay to not do something you have SWORN AN OATH to do because people are mean to you or don't agree with you 100%?

Or it's okay to walk away from a job that you have promised to do for a certain finite amount of time because it isn't what you expected?

Not in my world.

Andy, I don't understand your point...are you saying Martinez didn't like his Boss? (he is a Senator, he works for the people of Florida; that he didn't like his constituents( the same people as his Boss), didn't like his co-workers (he and Sen Nelson seem to get along fine--)I'm confused by your post.

You are confused because you are trying to make something out of it that isn't there. I was creating a scenario about a job. Sen. Martinez quit his and for that he has been severely critized. Draw into it what you will, but it is obvious to me that you are more intent on attempting to make what I said look foolish. I asked a simple question. You turned it into a denigration of the Presidency, the Senate and his constituents. This was not my intent. I don't know if the tactics used in your posts are as transparent to others as they are to me but I hope so. If I am wrong, I'll apologize in advance but this is the perception with which you leave me.

So, I want to know if it's OK for any of our Florida National Guard members who are in Afganistan now to hitchhike to the nearest airport and grab a flight home.

I guess they have to give a month's notice, so that their commander can find a replacement. That's the rule, right?

Lack of resolve and no respect for the constiuents who elected you, may just be a rather republican trait. Don't forget the Father of modern conservative quitters: Richard Nixon. It's all about retaining that great retirement program.

The father of medern conservatism was Barry Goldwater.

So it's okay to not do something you have SWORN AN OATH to do because people are mean to you or don't agree with you 100%?

Or it's okay to walk away from a job that you have promised to do for a certain finite amount of time because it isn't what you expected?

Not in my world.

Senators do not swear an oath to not resign - they swear an oath to support the Constitution of the United States while they are in office.

"I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States."

Do people that get divorced deserve the same disdain because they have walked away from a promise?? Does Barack Obama deserve to be called a quitter because he walked away from his Senate Job. Did anybody call Colin Powell a quitter when he resigned?

I believe that this thread is more about bashing Republicans than being genuinely upset that Mel Martinez disappointed alot of people that voted for him. Carry on

At least in my mind, this thread is about how people are letting others down by not doing the job they said they would.

Far too frequently lately people are just walking away or quitting when the going gets tough. Mortgages, political offices, debts, kids, pets ................. This is not a Republican/Democrat issue, it's a responsible/irresponsible issue.

BTW - oath for Senators:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

...DA time.

So, what do we call it when a Senator (or mayor, congressperson, etc.) starts running for another office and neglects the duties they swore to uphold? There are many many examples of this...it is not a trick question to upset any dem or repub.

That's one reason I think we need to limit the length of all the campaigns - people are spending more time running FOR the office than they are SERVING in the office!

Also why I think we need campaign finance reform - many elected officials are beholden to their contributors, or the party machine, not their constituents.

...DA time.

So, what do we call it when a Senator (or mayor, congressperson, etc.) starts running for another office and neglects the duties they swore to uphold? There are many many examples of this...it is not a trick question to upset any dem or repub.

Exactly. I didn't see any moral outrage when Barack Obama neglected his Senate duties and ultimately resigned to become President of the United States.

Exactly. I didn't see any moral outrage when Barack Obama neglected his Senate duties and ultimately resigned to become President of the United States.

What channel were you watching? There was plenty of outrage.

P.S. McCain also neglected his Senate duties and would have had to ultimately resign if he became President........................ :roll: Hence why I think the campaign season needs to be shortened.

Big difference between exchanging one position for a higher one w/increased duties and outright quitting - especially if you are just doing so for $$$$.

We need more turnover. I don't care if they quit. I vote they all quit and let's start over!

You are confused because you are trying to make something out of it that isn't there. I was creating a scenario about a job. Sen. Martinez quit his and for that he has been severely critized. Draw into it what you will, but it is obvious to me that you are more intent on attempting to make what I said look foolish. I asked a simple question. You turned it into a denigration of the Presidency, the Senate and his constituents. This was not my intent. I don't know if the tactics used in your posts are as transparent to others as they are to me but I hope so. If I am wrong, I'll apologize in advance but this is the perception with which you leave me.

Well, I guess that's why I was confused. I thought you were making a point. I am not sure why you think I am trying to make you look foolish--that has never occurred to me. I simply was trying to understand your point; and I don't think I am denigrating anything by asking a question. I said I was confused--I did not say anything about you.
Sorry if I offended you.

Well, I guess that's why I was confused. I thought you were making a point. I am not sure why you think I am trying to make you look foolish--that has never occurred to me. I simply was trying to understand your point; and I don't think I am denigrating anything by asking a question. I said I was confused--I did not say anything about you.
Sorry if I offended you.

I might have been a bit strong handed in my response but I think that anyone has the right to quit any job at anytime unless they are under a contractual arrangement and that includes elected officials. I don't like their resigning but I can understand why they do it and the reasons are numerous.
You did not offend me. No one on this board offends me although some are often rude and ridiculous in what they post, but thank you for being so considerate.

...DA time.

So, what do we call it when a Senator (or mayor, congressperson, etc.) starts running for another office and neglects the duties they swore to uphold? There are many many examples of this...it is not a trick question to upset any dem or repub.

On the flip side, John Edwards apparently wasn't busy enough.

The father of medern conservatism was Barry Goldwater.

I said Nixon was the Father of modern conservative quitters. I really believe, like most people, that when you are elected to political office you are fulfilling a trust given to you by your constituents. That is what democracy is all about. You elect your representatives, for good or bad (and it works both ways) You don't elect the "Joe the Plumber", who is appointed when he runs out the door. Florida is now not fully represented in the middle of one of the worst Senate battles in recent history. Not so funny anymore...is it?

We need more turnover. I don't care if they quit. I vote they all quit and let's start over!

that's a lot of pensions!