Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, Mel Martinez Goes Home

If there is a secret reason why Mel Martinez quit his job this week (such as a serious illness for himself or a member of his family--which would be a justification for him to leave), then I wish he would have told us so. Otherwise, I have no sympathy or understanding for his selfish decision. His only publicly announced reason is that he wants to spend more time with his family.

Hey Mel, before you decided to run for U.S Senate, weren't you aware that it was a 6 year commitment? Why did you even run in the first place?

Why did you trash the good name of a true public servant, Betty Castor, with unfounded allegations that she harbored a terrorist on the faculty during her tenure as President of USF if you really didn't want to fulfill your entire first term?

Being one of 2 elected Senators of our state is a solemn responsibility. It isn't like getting homesick at summer camp. You don't just quit and go home, even if you become a member of the minority party during your first term.

I did not vote for you, and I strongly believe that you embarrassed the majority of Floridians with your involvement in the Terri Schaivo debacle, but you had become an important voice opposing offshore drilling, and your departure at this critical time when members of your party are beating the drums so loudly to "drill here and drill now" (without asking questions) is extremely troubling on this critical issue alone.

Serving in the US Senate is one of our nation's highest honors. You quit without a sufficient explanation. It seems as though you couldn't wait to get home.