So, Why is Congress's Approval Rating So LOW?
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
November 1, 2007 5:15pm CST
Much has been said and written lately about how the U.S. Congress's approval rating is now at an "all-time low". The Republicans love to bring this point up, how the Congress is even less popular than President Bush. But, what do you think is the actual reason for this disapproval? In my opinion, it's really simple and it's not such good news for the GOP after all; the Democrats swept both houses of Congress last November because the people were overwhelmingly in favor of ending the Iraq war and many voters don't understand that there isn't enough of a Democratic majority to make any real progress there. I heard in one poll the Democrats in Congress have a slightly higher rating that Congress as a whole. OK, give it to me, I'm ready!
Annie
2 people like this
7 responses
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
1 Nov 07
I wholeheartedly agree with you, anniepa. Little did the voters know that Mr. Bush would veto everything the Democrats have tried to push through. Even with a majority, there is an uphill struggle since the Republicans have the backing of the Republican President.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
2 Nov 07
That's my point exactly, Worldwise1. The sad fact is for things to get done they need 67% in order to be able to override a veto. Their tiny majority is far from enough even with a few Republicans who actually care about the country and its people more than their party.
Annie
1 person likes this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
2 Nov 07
"Why is it so important we have higher taxes?" -[/quote]
So the government can burn more money. I mean look at the track record. The spending produces some average or below average products all the time. And also, some people in the system need their kickbacks. -_-
1 person likes this
@bravenewworld (746)
• United States
2 Nov 07
I agree, and think it's unfair to judge congress on its achievements, or lack of, when they and the president represent opposing agendas.
It will take a Democratic president to enable a Dem- led congress to meet its agenda and make good on its campaign promises. Then let them be judged.
The recent election results were not exactly a ringing endorsement of the policies of a GOP-led congress and GOP president combo.
2 people like this
@MrNiceGuy (4141)
• United States
2 Nov 07
So why is congress' approval rating STILL low and nothing has changed about Iraq?
1 person likes this
@MntlWard (878)
• United States
2 Nov 07
Their approval rating is low because they haven't done the job they were hired to do: tell Bush "No!"
Yeah, they can't get all their bills passed because they don't have enough of a majority to override a veto, but they're still rolling over for pretty much everything Bush requests, even though they say they'll take back some of those things later.
1 person likes this
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
2 Nov 07
Their rating is so low because they haven't done anything but investigate and try to raise taxes with a bunch of foolish legislation that Bush had told them he would veto to begin with.
They have yet to come up with the long overdue budget.
Long story short, they have failed in every promise that they made, and it has not been the great change that they promised either, instead it has been the same old business as usual that was the hallmark of the republicans, which was the hallmark of the democrats before them... all forty years worth.
Their approval rating is so low because that is exactly what they deserve for the do nothing job that they haven't been doing.
1 person likes this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
2 Nov 07
Good. Short, truthful and to the point. No matter what party gets installed its just business as usual, not much changes. But now thanks to even more political garbage, its much more nothing happening. Destiny, all of the politicians promise things they either can't deliver or have no intention of delivering. All most of them are, they are just bluffs to get the office, or if they are acted on its to expand the power of their office or "party". It doesn't matter what pseudo party, affiliation or nothing of a person does it, that's basically it! Its how the game "works" -_- And yea, you do nothing, you don't deserve any credit or high marks. If you are employed, think of the job! If YOU did nothing, do you think you'll be around long? Unless you work in government usually the answer is no. Now I know its not so easy on Capitol Shill but goodness, come up with the budget, do some real negotiating on the floor (if you do, then you may actually get some votes for an override in case the veto pen is left on automatic -_-).
1 person likes this
@pismeof (855)
• United States
1 Nov 07
O.K.Annie,What was the last thing you remember congress accomplishing.As you have said "The People" voted in more democrats this past november and got zelch as a result.As far as I'm concerned it matters not what party you vote for so much as the person that is the representative.They should have a clear plan and voting record or demonstrated policy that they adhere to.
Most representatives that are in congress right now are a joke and our democratic system is in deep dodo.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
2 Nov 07
I'm no disagreeing that it's the person you vote for rather than the party but the fact remains that with our two-party system a small majority by the party that isn't in the White House pretty much guarantees that nothing much will be accomplished. Our system is in deep dodo, I won't argue about that either. But, this Congress has passed some good legislation this past year only for it to fall victim to the veto pen. For the record, when I say "good" legislation, I mean things that the majority of the people were in favor of and as you yourself said, that's who they're there to serve, right?
Annie
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
4 Nov 07
So once the Democrats got into power, instead of passing laws, like lowering the tax rate on the middle and lower classes, building more schools, upgrading schools, and doing things you would want, what did they do? They wanted to make bis*xuality and transgender a protected class, and sneak it on the ones protecting the soldiers. They are also in favor of homosexual marriage, embryonic stem cell research and abortion with no boundaries. It was not about the Iraqi war. It was that Congress in an effort to get rid of Bush, introduced some laws that were so ridiculous that we would have suffered if they had been passed and since they were during Bush's administration, he would have been blamed, which was the idea.
Oh if you do get a Democratic president, then they will start introducing laws such as lowering the tax rate on the middle and lower classes, building more schools, and upgrading schools, etc.
\
