Congressional Job Approval

Cyclone85 · 06-01-2008, 12:01 AM

Congress is more worried about steroids in baseball than they are about solving our dependency on foreign sources of energy. Oil prices have doubled since Pelosi took the helm; food is up 12%. They've spent hundreds of hours investigating and grilling Roger Clemens, when they should be up all night talking to companies on solving a very serious issue. Bush (who everybody hates) has sent multiple proposals to expand exploration in forbidden zones; one of which is the continental shelf where there are billions of known reserves. No No No is what Congress answers with.

I understand why Bush is hated (I get it), but I also understand why Congress is hated. While the make-up of Congress has changed, nothing else has changed and they remain the most arrogant group of SOBs I have ever witnessed in my life.

Originally Posted by Throwby

I just noticed this morning that the job approval rating for Congress has fallen below 20% (Real Clear Politics average of three independent polls). Here are the numbers:

Date App. Dis. Spread
RCP Average05/07 - 05/1218.775.0-56.3

Here are the numbers for Pres. Bush (average of six polls):

RCP Average05/08 - 05/2430.865.2-34.4

As bad as Bush's popularity is he looks good next to Congress. Here's my question: Since Speaker Pelosi's promises of a bright new future under Democratic leadership can said leadership be considered an abysmal failure?

(I'm off to the state FS tournament. We'll chat later)

Cyclone85 · 06-01-2008, 12:10 AM

I totally agree on the talent level. It has definitely gone down hill in my opinion; not only @ the Federal level, but particularly at the state level. I can't single out D vs. R...it's across the board. So far as I can tell, the number of dummies running the show is uniformly distributed across all sectors of government. Particularly in regards to how the economy works....

Originally Posted by RYou

So how you explain the fact that Bush, who made the move against Iraq well before most of the democrats gained their seats, still has a more favorable approval rating ? IF, Iraq was the reason, shouldn't his rating be lower? I think so.

Maybe people are recognizing the ineffectiveness of a democratic congress. Looks to me like these folks wants their seats for a reasonable pay, percs and fringes with no real need to work.

Overall, I think over the past 20 years the talent level of those elected to congress has declined dramatically.

Cyclone85 · 06-01-2008, 12:16 AM

I used to be against term limits, but the more I learn about Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley (Iowa) has changed my mind. These are but two of dozens of career politicians that need to retire. Earmarks are rounding error, however, I would not be opposed to ending those as well. It's feeding the pig...

Originally Posted by hardcore

Only partialy correct. While Congress (both parties) has the lowest approval ratings ever and the general public is fed up it will change nothing as people blame all the members of Congress except their own. Re-election rates for incumbents has been in the 90-96% range for the past 20 or so years. The only solution to effect change is term limits and ending earmarks. Snowballs chance in hell of either one happening.

Throwby · 06-01-2008, 08:00 AM

One major negative I think we have all missed in regards to Congress is lobbyists. Term limits is likely a place to start but I believe we would all be well served if every lobbyist in DC were out of a job.

Tight-Waist · 06-02-2008, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by matclone

Do you suppose poor Congressional approval ratings (or the President's for that matter) has anything (not everything, but something) to do with the plethora of attack ads and commentary (talk radio, cable TV, internet blogs, anti-govt screeds by think tank operatives) that is all around us? I mean, anyone who's watched even a bit of the presidential race can see that most of the media coverage has been more trivial than substantive.

Attack ads are nothing new to this election cycle.

Bush and Congress are held in low esteem for one reason and on reason only.

They DESERVE contempt.

matclone · 06-02-2008, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Throwby

One major negative I think we have all missed in regards to Congress is lobbyists. Term limits is likely a place to start but I believe we would all be well served if every lobbyist in DC were out of a job.

I don't think term limits will solve anything, for it doesn't change the underlying problem of how campaigns are financed--which you touch on by mentioning lobbyists.

Tight-Waist · 06-02-2008, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by matclone

I don't think term limits will solve anything, for it doesn't change the underlying problem of how campaigns are financed--which you touch on by mentioning lobbyists.

If they are term limited it will greatly increase the number of Congressmen who are NOT seeking re-election AND it will lower the power yielded through the senority system, both of which will drastically impact the power of lobbying.

Congressional Job Approval

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