Why the People Hate Congress

[fooj]

http://www.boomantribune.com/

<snip>

There's no evidence that the public is more displeased with the Democrats than the Republicans, so this poll just reflects a general 'pox on both your houses' attitude. Now, political consultants will explain that this public attitude is explained by Congress's inability to do anything, to work across party lines and solve the big problems...I don't think so.

I attribute it to three things. First, Iraq. The public wants some light at the end of the tunnel on Iraq. Congress has given them no light. None. This is the single biggest failure of Congress so far. If the public were interested in bipartisanship then they would be disproportionately blaming the Republicans for the lack of illumination. The public doesn't pay close enough attention to get bogged down on which party is more to blame. They just know that Congress (both parties) gave Bush more money to fight the war with no strings attached and no hope for the future. That drives their disapproval. If the Dems had been seen kicking and screaming and insisting on light at the end of the tunnel, then the public would have seen the problem as one of Congress vs. the President, and they would have seen Congress as the hero and the President as the villain.

Second, the immigration bill. No one liked it. Maybe that is the nature of tackling such a controversial issue. The only available compromises are unacceptable to everyone that actually cares about the issue. But, regardless, the public hated the bill and wanted to strangle anyone that supported it. For the very few people that actually liked the bill...well...it didn't pass...so...what's to like?

Third, George W. Bush is still our President. Believe it or not, the public realizes that the biggest of the big problems that our nation faces is a matter of leadership. Our leader is an incompetent, lying, crook. It would be extremely non-bipartisan to actuallly do anything about Bush being a lying, incompetent, crook, but the public would appreciate the effort, nonetheless.

In summation, the public is not mad that Congress isn't tackling our big problems by working together and passing bills. They're mad that Congress worked together to pass a stringless war appropriation, that Congress tried to work together to pass a crappy immigration bill, and that the Democrats haven't stood up to the President and forced more of a showdown on a wide front of issues...including removing him from office.

<snip>

Excellent read. I think Booman hits the nail on the head with this one!

[LSK]

1. because people have no clue about Cloture n/t

[fooj]

3. If only...

[electropop]

4. "So what if the pukes are blocking every solution?"

"It must be the Dems fault, too!"

Well, maybe once we have a 2/3 majority we can get something done. If, you know, we have the votes for it, and, um, you know, if it's OK with the Repugnicans, and uh, you know, as long as it isn't controversial and nobody objects.

[elocs]

5. Certainly if the Democrats had enough votes to over ride a presidential veto

then people would be justified in complaining if things do not get done. I think that a lot of this, as well as cloture, goes over the heads of many people, including some here at DU.

[stellanoir]

2. Maybe just maybe

because we no longer have anything that even remotely resembles a representative legislature or leadership and they are all beholden to the corporate powers that be.

Sleep tight america. Democracy is an illusion.

Fix the damn voting machines and overhaul the media and perhaps we'll have a chance.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

6. Yup!!! It's all about money,...not humanity,...and no matter the political affiliation,...

,...all the American people KNOW this nation is ruled by money, NOT the best interests of her people or the 'rule of law' or the fantasy of that 'democracy' we all were taught existed.