“Rather than producing tangible solutions to better this nation, partisan posturing has created a legislative standstill. Unfortunately, I do not foresee this environment to change anytime soon. I have decided not to seek reelection, so that another may put forth ideas on how to break through the gridlock and bring about positive change for our country.”
Chris Cillizza, writing in his (excellent) blog on politics, notes that Alexander isn't the first member of Congress to cite frustration in announcing his decision to retire:
Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss called it quits earlier this year, explaining: “I don’t see the legislative gridlock and partisan posturing improving anytime soon.” When she stunned the political world by retiring in 2012, Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe explained that “I do not realistically expect the partisanship of recent years in the Senate to change over the short term.”
What Cillizza didn't say is that Rep. Alexander and Senators Chambliss and Snowe (and others) could have done is stay in Congress and choose not to be a part of the gridlock. They could have chosen to work with the other side on finding solutions to the nation's problems instead of following their leaders in blind obstruction. Rather than complaining or leaving, why don't these folks just stay and try fixing the dysfunctional system from the inside?
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