"Some lawmakers wonder if members of Congress have even single-digit
approval from the public. 'I’d like to meet the 6 percent who approve of
Congress,' said Representative Jeff Flake, Republican of Arizona, who
has often voted in ways that help hold up legislation, because he is
seeking deep cuts in spending. 'I just don’t know who they are'.” (via)
Hold Up legislation, that's probably the best description of the witless behavior in Congress.
I don't think Congress cares about the group approval numbers, nor the approval of the Republicans or Democrats as a group. They only care about their individual numbers. They know as incumbents their chances of re-election are enormous. Because of gerry mandering, most seats are all but guaranteed to their party. Everyone says throw the bums out, but really they mean throw all those others out, not my Congressman. Or even my party.
ReplyDeleteIf districts were redrawn in squares or rectangles primarily, along state & county lines, rivers and natural borders; and most were up for grabs, you would see a lot more action out of Congress. But as long as most seats are safe, expect more of the same.