Off My Mind: What Drives Batman in His War on Crime?

Off My Mind: What Drives Batman in His War on Crime?: "
We all know the story of how Bruce Wayne became Batman. As a young child, he witnessed the murder of his parents when they were held up in an alley. Since that moment, he made a vow to the spirit of his dead parents that he would spend the rest of his life warring on all criminals.

How is that going for him? Batman has spent most of his life with his war against crime. He has spent countless hours and a good chunk of his fortune for the sake of others as well as numerous personal sacrifices over the years. Has he made any progress? Has the amount of crime in Gotham City increased or decreased? Since Batman's been on the scene, more and more crazed costumed criminals have surfaced.
Batman might be fully committed to this war, but how long can he stay committed to this never-ending battle?

Saying Batman is obsessed would be an understatement. In Darwyn Cooke's EGO story, we see that Batman actually questions his lack of being able to change Gotham.
The question of how much good Batman does or how much damage he's caused has been a topic of debate for years.
There was corruption in the police force before Batman surfaced. Is that something that can be attributed to his vigilante ways? It's clear that it was Jim Gordon that put an end to the corruption and turned the police department around. He had an ally in Batman but it was Jim that had to do the hard work in the department.
Batman may be a magnet for costumed criminals but what about the heroes and sidekicks he's inspired and helped shape? He's had some successes with Dick Grayson, Tim Drake and Barbara Gordon. There has also been some...mistakes like Jason Todd or Azrael.
But I don't want to go on about any faults he may have. The fact is Batman is fighting a never-ending battle. There will always be a new threat no matter how many times he defeats his enemies. We all know there's no way to keep them permanently locked away.

Is this the life Batman is fated to have? Will he have to continue fighting until he is no longer able to? Will he ever know or allow himself to know any sort of happiness?
We've seen a future possibility with Batman Beyond. Bruce is practically a defeated old man. How disturbing is that first episode where he fails to nab the kidnapper and almost has to resort to using a gun. He ends up living alone in Wayne Manor...well, except for Ace, his dog.
Batman will never allow himself to be happy. He will never settle down. He knows that any moment he's sitting at the beach or having a picnic means time away from fighting or making plans against the forces of evil.
Batman may have victories when he does (at least temporarily) take villains off the streets. How can that be enough?
Yes, Batman made a vow to his dead parents to fight crime for the rest of his life but when is it time for Bruce to live? Is this what his parents would have wanted?
What it comes down to is it wasn't just Thomas and Martha Wayne that died that night in the alley. Bruce Wayne died as well. Batman was born that night and he will continue to fight crime until his last breath.
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