RTV 6 is reporting (and I saw it from Abdul first) that Rep. Steve Buyer (R IN-04) will not seek re-election. He cites the health of his wife as the reason for his retirement. I have not had any love for Rep. Buyer’s representation of my district, but regardless, I hope his family’s health situation, whatever it is, improves. In fact, I hope it’s just one of those things politicians say when their real reasons are less sympathetic. Family illness is just one of those devastating things. (I’ll even avoid, for the moment, my inclination to veer off into a discussion of how important access to adequate health care is.)
Rep. Buyer was under fire recently for his non-charity, the Frontier Foundation, which had not been providing scholarship money but been taking in money from corporate donors with business before Congressman Buyer’s committees; usually through a golf outing at nice places. But, unless there are some more spectacular skeletons in the closet, I kind of doubt that added a whole lot to his decision to step down. He is in a very safe Republican district and, with no real primary challengers, has been largely unaccountable for his performance as a Congressman.
I would now expect a lot of Republican interest in the seat. I expect the chances of a Democratic pick up to be very slim but chances of an improvement in the quality of representation for the District as very good.
But, again, even though my differences with Mr. Buyer’s politics couldn’t be more profound, I hope he and his family regain their health and live long and happy lives.
(The Indianapolis Star has the story now as well.
Note that State Senator Brandt Hershman was “by his side” at the press conference. That’s as one might expect for Hershman has been Buyer’s in-district assistant as his real job. I’d expect to see him want to step up— of course, I hope to see a more rational Republican – less likely to veer off onto social engineering like Marriage Discrimination Amendments. I’d think some smart cookie could find the many stories about his insider deals to discredit him. But no one has seriously run against Hershman in all his attempts.
I say, let the ethics investigation continue. Otherwise there will never be any scholarships, nor any final accounting of that foundations’ funds.
I certainly hope his wife gets well.
And, I hope that he can afford insurance for his COBRA and/or her pre-existing condition if the bill the GOP considers a ‘reform’ passes, because the GOP ‘plan’ does not eliminate the current abuse of pre-exisiting conditions by insurance companies. Nor, does it provide the 2-1 coverage that the Democratic plan has for people 50-60 years of age, who are disproportionately out of work now, like he soon will be.
Representative Buyer used to be my congressman in the 2nd CD. He normally would vote against working families and retirees. He did however, vote against permanent normal trade relations with China (PNTR) and that vote was much appreciated.
I remember very well waiting for him in his Washington office. When he arrived, he said he didn’t have time to talk about it as he had to go to the capital to vote on something. He removed his jacket, went out into the hall and headed for the exit. He then ran all the way to the capital. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity of bending his ear about PNTR, so I ran along side him the whole distance. Some where along the way, he asked me if I was sure I wanted to go the whole distance with him. I said, “heck yeah”, (not wanting to admit I was in bad shape). Steve Buyer at that time was in excellent shape and but the time we reached the capital, I was about dead.
I too wish him and his family the very best.
Y’know what? No sale. I certainly wish Mrs. Buyer the best, but there are thousands of Hoosiers in her husband’s district alone who have to get up every day and earn a living while suffering from “incurable autoimmune diseases”. Those of them who could afford insurance, or were covered at work, and were lucky enough not to have coverage denied because the condition was pre-existing, have still seen their premiums skyrocket in the past decade while Mr. Buyer went to Washington to be a professional golfer. The less fortunate, of course, got to choose between treatment and food, shelter, or the care of dependents. How many of them weep and implore Jesus’ help when there aren’t any sympathetic cameras watching, and never will be?
As for safe districts, they might exist, but who says Buyer’s job is safe? Even Danny Burton’s having to fight to hold onto his. The heat just got turned up on Buyer this week, and he’s the only one who knows exactly what there is to find. I’ll be willing to consider this as anything other than one of the most flamboyantly staged versions of the ever-popular “I’m resigning to spend more time with my family” when I see the first piece of evidence suggesting Buyer’s ever spent one tear on any of the people in similar situations he abandoned to the caprice of profiteers.