“The Internet interprets the U.S. Congress as system damage and routes around it.” Jeanne DeVoto

 

“Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”  Mark Twain

 

“The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets.”  Will Rogers

 

“If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send one hundred and fifty lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour?”  Thomas Jefferson

 

“We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln

 

 

Past and present, Presidents, comedians and social commentators have laid heavy criticism on our Congress. The latest polls show public approval of Congress somewhere south of 20% (RCP average – www.realclearpolitics.com). Much of the current low opinion of Congress is undoubtedly due to the mismanagement of the healthcare reform “debate.” This debate is now well over a year old and for almost that entire period there was no transparency. When exposed, the backroom deals during that period damaged the credibility of Congress and the President as well. Now the second round is in play and the public gets to witness even more vote buying and political extortion, also known as 'politics as usual.' Interestingly, the public opinion poll numbers on healthcare reform as it now stands is 41% in favor and 49% opposed. These indicate the public is a long way from being convinced this is the right bill. So why isn’t the public convinced about what has been proposed? I believe the answers are straightforward.

 

o   The public doesn’t buy it. This is probably the most complicated and widespread piece of social re-engineering this country has seen. Our leaders have failed to present a convincing picture to the general public as a whole that the benefits outweigh the costs and possible negative consequences. One cautionary for members of Congress is to avoid blaming the public for this failure.

o   The public has lost faith and trust in Congress. Some politicians seem to believe the public doesn’t care about the political process or is incapable of understanding what is happening. “Just get it done no matter what” is their mantra, “and the voter will forget.” Again, Congressperson beware, as being non-responsive to the electorate can be a career limiting move.

 

It is probably hopeless to expect Congressfolks to change their behavior, on either side of the aisle. As voters we need to be ecumenical in our assessment of who has served us well. Congress continues to play a zero-sum game where their competition for control too frequently outweighs their interest in evaluating issues on a non-ideological and therefore non-partisan basis. Harsh assessment on my part? Perhaps. Liberals will note that the public option is off the table. Conservatives will note that tort reform is not present either. Neither the Democrats nor Republicans in Congress can claim progress, or even open consideration, on these or other issues important to US, the public. Each side claims to have stopped the other side from doing great damage to the country, and that in the end they will win. And that is what the game is really about, winning.

 

The end game of this story will come in November. Will the current widespread displeasure with our representatives in Congress carry over until then?  Will numerous seats be lost? There is a good chance both will happen. I personally can’t remember a level of disaffection with our representatives such as we have now. Playing the “Just Win, Baby” game at the taxpayer’s expense likely will no longer work.  

 

Healthcare reform isn’t the only issue that Congress has failed to make progress on. I’m going to follow the Congressional campaign with different questions for the candidates this year than I’ve had in the past. So I’m looking for a different approach from them.  I don’t expect candidates to always agree on the substance. After all we need different perspectives to get better ideas. But I hope for a more constructive approach to problem solving. These are my questions for them:

 

o   What have you proactively done to connect to disparate parts of your constituency to gather public opinion? I expect to hear you have stumped frequently and openly in every part of your district.

o   What have you done to reach out and connect to political colleagues who disagree with you? I expect you can show us examples of your efforts to craft bi-partisan legislation.

o   How many attack ads have you run against your opponents? I expect none.

o   Have you been the first to offer a compromise on an issue? I expect you have.

o   Have you publicly stated your values, and have your votes and actions been consistent with those stated values? I expect you will have done so, otherwise how are we to know who you really are?

o   Have you told the truth? The importance of this goes without saying.

o   Have you shown compassion? I hope so, as compassion and forgiveness are needed to carry us through tough times and raise our hopes and spirits.

 

As a voter and citizen, I believe our healthcare system is seriously in need of reform. At the same time, the product Congress has produced to date is not believable. And Congress is in serious need of improving how it conducts the public’s business. In the end, we citizens and our representatives are all accountable for the outcome. We voters need to raise our standards and insist our government follows our example.

 

Quotations courtesy of brainyquote.com and thinkexist.com