US Congress Reaches New Low in Approval, Nobody Cares

[Lemur]

I am fascinated by the ability of our Congress to be wildly unpopular without any consequence. Latest polling (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/06/13/confidence-in-congress-drops-to-historic-low/):

https://i.imgur.com/0a7LMKi.png

But of course, the fact that a broad majority of Americans despise Congress has no meaning, no consequence. I get the impression that they could drop to 1% approval without any pressure to change the way they do business.

Why the disconnect?

[PanzerJaeger]

Lots hate 'congress' as an abstract but like their congressman. 'If only there were more people like Michelle Bachmann in Washington, we'd be able to fix this country!', etc.

Sad to see the police rank so highly. Now there's a group that should really be at the bottom of the list.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Approval for big business and the banks is up, while approval for organized labour and small business is down. I don't know if the US has a more positive economic climate than it did a year ago, but this strikes me as a strange reaction.

Meanwhile political institutions like the Presidecy, Supreme Court, and Congress are all down - this is less surprising.

[HopAlongBunny]

Might the problem be structural?

Congress is responsible for soo much stuff that the best choice is often: do nothing. Add to that gerrymandering: representatives have a clear picture of their constituency; coloring outside of very well-defined lines is suicide.
If a politicians chief job is to get re-elected, the best choice is to upset as few carts as possible; maintain support of whatever demographic put you in power; keep steady funding to your "Elect Bert" fund. Tomorrow will be much like today because we know what today looks like and everyone (esp. politicians) hesitate at the edge of the new/unknown.

[TinCow]

Wow, I didn't realize so many people disliked SCOTUS and the medical industry. Widespread discontent certainly doesn't surprise me, but I didn't expect 2/3 to give them a thumbs down.

[Montmorency]

Wow, I didn't realize so many people disliked SCOTUS and the medical industry. Widespread discontent certainly doesn't surprise me, but I didn't expect 2/3 to give them a thumbs down.

Well, hold on. "Some" confidence is at least grudging approval, IMO.

For SCOTUS: 76% at least "some" confidence
For medical system: 73% at least "some" confidence

Then again, perhaps "some" is, like "no opinion", a cop-out answer. And how am I to interpret "confidence" anyway?

[HopAlongBunny]

I believe "confidence" has to do with creating the impression that your wallet was not "lifted" but handed over by consent.

See also: market confidence; confidence in banking.

[Strike For The South]

I need to find this small business and shake his hand

[a completely inoffensive name]

*Put on revolutionary cap* In today's society there is tacit approval or there is rebellion. THE DISSATISFIED MAN MUST WAKE UP TO THE SMELL OF FIRE NOT COFFEE IF HE WISHES TO CHANGE HIS CONDITION.

[drone]

Congress' approval rating is lower than syphillis but slightly higher than herpes. Maybe this is why the medical system rates so low? :inquisitive:

[Major Robert Dump]

I am shocked it is so low. Congressional Congressmens and Congresswomens are the pillar of a free country, standing watch for us as we slumber, ready to be our light in the tunnel of no light, existing in the anus of our system to keep our bowels in check. The job pays very little, has very few perks, and they are held accountable at a level that is just completely unfair for someone making the sacrifice they volunteer for. This July 4th, I toast to Congressional Congressmens and Congresswomens and their families and the tradition of the public eating those bratwursts that we can only enjoy because Congressional Congressmens and Congresswomens make it possible for us. It is both symbolic and figurative.

[ICantSpellDawg]

I am just thrilled by Rand Paul, Justin Amash, and Thomas Massie. I hope tht they are effective in their efforts. Remember; in the U.S. Congress more often than not, when you vote no, you are voting yes for the rights of the American people. With enough Paul's, soon they won't need to vote no as often.

[Major Robert Dump]

I am just thrilled by Rand Paul, Justin Amash, and Thomas Massie. I hope tht they are effective in their efforts. Remember; in the U.S. Congress more often than not, when you vote no, you are voting yes for the rights of the American people. With enough Paul's, soon they won't need to vote no as often.

We used to think that about Tom Coburn. Those people you mention will only shatter your heart. Best to move on like I did, now I just stalk attractive girls from Taco Bell

[ICantSpellDawg]

We used to think that about Tom Coburn. Those people you mention will only shatter your heart. Best to move on like I did, now I just stalk attractive girls from Taco Bell

I fully expect to have my heart broken by people in power. It is incumbent on us to bleed them dry when useful and then to discard them. They are people too. Promise them influence in exchange for their support. when they've given it and get too big for britches, throw them out, rinse and repeat. No loyalty, just ideology.

Heck, I'd probably sell everyone else out eventually myself. why would I hold someone else to a higher standard. They can be of use while they are idealistic.

[a completely inoffensive name]

I fully expect to have my heart broken by people in power. It is incumbent on us to bleed them dry when useful and then to discard them. They are people too. Promise them influence in exchange for their support. when they've given it and get too big for britches, throw them out, rinse and repeat. No loyalty, just ideology.

Heck, I'd probably sell everyone else out eventually myself. why would I hold someone else to a higher standard. They can be of use while they are idealistic.

lol, and people wonder why we are so *******.

[FoxLeLay]

How is this any news that no one cares? Are they not all crooks anyhow?

[Greyblades]

Nobody cares because nobody finds this new, all people can do is wait for the elections for the chance to kick out the idiots and hope the new crop isnt as goddamn stupid. Getting worked up now is a waste of energy.

[Fisherking]

The trouble in the US with its two party system is that you have maximum continuity. Both parties pander to special interests and the lining of their own pockets.

Unless you get rid of ALL OF THEM it won’t stop. The apparatus is in place to corrupt all new comers.

[Gregoshi]

...all people can do is wait for the elections for the chance to kick out the idiots...
Problem is, they want to kick out all the idiots except their own idiot, and, alas, that is the only one they have control over. :shrug:

[Fisherking]

Since money has become the life’s blood of politics it has only gotten worse. Pre WWII the main expense was driving around shaking hands. Now it is media add money that gets them elected.

There has always been those who put friends and relatives in positions where they can feed off the government, nothing new there, but the big donors (businesses and special interests) can count on lawmakers doing things to help them make more money at public expense.

You can not outlaw political adds, as they are a first amendment right. And congress is not going to chase the hogs away from the trough.

[The Lurker Below]

I am just thrilled by Rand Paul, Justin Amash, and Thomas Massie. I hope tht they are effective in their efforts. Remember; in the U.S. Congress more often than not, when you vote no, you are voting yes for the rights of the American people. With enough Paul's, soon they won't need to vote no as often.

One of my former co-workers said that we don't have rights, that the gov't passed laws granting us temporary privileges. My father in law said that every time the gov't passed a law it detracted from our liberties. My father in law ate my co-worker, but the co-worker came back and haunted my father-in-law, driving him completely nuts.

[a completely inoffensive name]

My father in law ate my co-worker, but the co-worker came back and haunted my father-in-law, driving him completely nuts.

Is your father in law Cronus?