What do our liberal friends have to say about this rating? Obviously, the disapproval reaches across party lines. Could it be this is a confirmation of the Democratic leadership being under the boot heel of the far left? Their obstruction tactics and absurd rhetoric are unmatched in any of my or my peers memories in the US political arena.

Of course, 91% of Americans are clueless, hate-mongoring, anti-global warming idiots who just need to accept the changes in the wind and “get over it”. Beware libbies, common sense is beginning to creep in and spoil your agenda.

The Dems, convinced of their superiority, blame all ills on Bush and the right. They will happily take the 9% and claim that this is a result of Bush policies, the war, corporate greed, etc. - anything but their own performance. They then spin out an illogical conclusion that the country wants more left-thinking leaders and that all will be well if only we can get Obama in the WH, bring the troops home, turn off the AC and drive hybrids.

What the left ignore is the fact they do not have a mandate. The last election results were due more to punishing the right versus supporting the far left.

Now the chickens are all coming home to roost. Gas has doubled under the Dem leadership yet they do nothing other than symbolic suggestions of law suits against OPEC and taxing “big oil”. They likewise do nothing about the housing crisis, the financial sector meltdown, the weak dollar, the stock market collapse etc. In their minds we are due for all of this - been on top for too long, too greedy - got to spread the wealth around the world etc. They are happy to see America punished.

They are also overjoyed that they may get what they want - government control (i.e. power) over much of our lives. As other options are made off-limits (drilling, nuke power, etc) and the economy continues to tank due energy and food costs (lets not forget the role the E85 scam played there) people will be willing to reach for any lifeline - even government health care or college programs or whatever - in desperation.

Say goodbye to your rights, achievement, etc. and hello nanny state with a program for anyone (so long as the need is PC). The cost? Most of your income taken as taxes so the gov can spend it all.

The USA is becoming the USSA. We need to stop it now or the vision mentioned in this article (and often discussed by Glen Beck) will become a reality - people with pitchforks taking to the streets. Taxation without representation - where have I heard that before?

Wow, and I thought these people were intelligent and had our best interest at heart. Some of the things they don’t get are - Chris Dodd writing the mortgage bailout when he doesn’t know what being on a VIP list means. Dems saying no drilling on US soil-telling us that we should use alternative sources. Note to the Dems- WHAT alternative sources of energy are available and affordable for the average American??? THEY ARE THE ONES KEEPING US DEPENDENT ON THE SAUDI’S AND MIDDLE EAST OIL!!!!!!!! The stimulus idea of BO- great - give the people a check so they can buy gas and then the government recoups that money thru the gas tax. To the Republicans- how can you keep supporting ear marks that are not in the common interest of the American People.

It is with regret that I must disagree with you re: the proposed demographics of the mythical 9… I feel it far more likely that this is the sector of our population directly benefiting [corruption, close family ties etc.] from our current Congressional Reps & Senators. I’ll stay away from the politically incorrect questions & comments, like how many of the 9 actually understood what was asked.

You nailed it Tammy , they are a miserable failure because they do not care , period . Remember that awful lovefest that took place when they took control two years ago and said we will not rest , we will get things done even if we have to work on the weekends !! Hogwash . Yes they need to apologize to the American people for their negligence and incompetence and step down immediately . Yea , right . Mark my word , Pelosi & Reid will be blaming their failure and embarrassing approval rating on George Bush , I can hear their whining now . argh.

Hi Tammy,I have two words for this problem,TERM LIMITS!!! I think we should all be looking at our democrat controled congress at this point instead of blaming the Bush administraton for all the countrys ills.The state of this nation has really gone south in the worst way our pocket books!YEA,lets elect Obama.—————————————————-Joel Smith East Stroudsburg, Pa.

The Supreme Court recently finally got it right (and why our 4 liberal justices were so dead set against the ruling). This is the real reason that our founders wanted our right to firearms protected; to defend us from a tyrannic government which we now seem to have elected!

When the GOP was in charge of congress, pre 2006, all you heard on the news was how thier approval rating was in the 30’s. FUnny how since the Lib DEms have been in charge, 30’s seems like areally good showing. The silence for mthe left leaning media is deafening at this point. What the heck are Pelosi and Reid trying to accomplish anyway…they have earily been silent since winning the last election.

I can believe it. And I agree that it is largely due to the squabbling and idiotic antics of both the far left and the far right. WHO WILL STAND FOR AMERICA?

I am so sick of the two parties that I may abstain from voting this year. I like Jesse Ventura’s idea: there should be a selection marked “None of the Above”, and if even 33% choose that, there should be a recall and a new selection process begun.

The ONLY candidate that I would have voted for would have been Mike Huckabee. He was the ONLY candidate that honestly and openly answered questions, and did so with such candor and insight that there was no way that he could be misinterpreted.

Ms. Pelosi and the rest of the Congress should be VERY concerned. I am almost sick from thinking of the direction we are likely heading this fall. An Obama administration will be the “coupe de gras” of the liberal movement started in the Sixties. Once marriage is defined as “anyone, anywhere, anytime” and illegal immigrants have the same rights and privileges as law-abiding citizens, and law-abiding gun owners are labled as “criminals”–HIDE AND WATCH what becomes of this country. The terrorists won’t have to blow anything up to take this country. We will have given it to them.

Maybe the 9% who approve of the job Congress is doing are the ones lobbying or benefiting from all of the wasteful, pork-barrel spending that these knuckleheads we elected like to slide into just about every spending bill that comes across their desks. It would be nice if the people had the power to hold a vote of no confidence to boot many of the slackers in Congress out the door in the same manner the people of California did to their Governor a few years back. Then, maybe, the folks we elect to office in D.C., or elsewhere, would be willing to listen to the people they represent instead of playing politics as usual.

If Bush didn’t veto everything Congress tries to do, there would be better government. The Democrat majority is simply too small to carry the day and Republicans will reject each and every plan they come up with for the simple joy of opposition. Let’s hope something changes after the next election, because this is no way to run a country.

Yikes… I wouldn’t have guessed Congress’ approval rating was so low. I’ll bet this will be ignored by the majority of the mainstream media in favor of a more fashionable story about Pres. Bush’s approval ratings being 35 percent, or whatever they are now (not taking up for Bush, just making a point). It does really seem like the petty squabling has reached a level that can only be described as junior-high-esque. Not that it’s entirely the Democrat’s fault, but it did seem to escalate after they won the majority in the Congress. Good article.

There is an element of good fortune in that Tammy Bruce has sworn off members of my gender, lest my marriage be endangered.

Seriously, this is spot on and describes exactly why this coming election is critical to saving our system of government and our nation. A republic cannot stand if those who support it no longer have faith in the availability of moral, ethical representation.

Maybe the 9% disapproval rating is merely a reflection on how evenly split Americans are along party lines. If basically 1/2 of the country is very pro-Democrat and the other 1/2 is very pro-Republican, wouldn’t both groups basically see Congress as a failure because they hate the other Party so much? Dems hate Reps and what Reps have stood for and vice versa (not that either Party has actually “stood for” anything so much as they have “stood against” their opponents on the other side of the aisle).

Anyway, congratulations to all of the Congresspersons for being completely immune to common sense, the will of “the People”, and personal accountability and self respect. I wish I could turn a completely deaf ear to my employer while sucking his pockets dry! Oh, I think I’m going to run for Congress - what a deal!

I’ve been saying this for years. These low life politicians don’t give a dam about the American people all they care about is getting reelected and lining their pockets. If our founding fathers could see what these bums have done and what they are doing to this great country, I’m quite confident that they would be sickened beyond belief. God bless America now, for the future will be quite bleak.

all empires fall and its only a matter of time when the america empire will fall
no dought in my mind i will see a new american revolution in my lifetime.
i’m so discusted and every one i know with this ultimate gready corrupt goverment,
I might be one of the rebel generals when california sucseeds from the union

Tammy, you have just stated what I have felt since the Dems took over. It is disgusting to even think that our tax dollars pay for their stupidity. Not to mention their medical needs, when ours is of no concern of theirs. It is so sad.

Our government only cares about it’s own. If your rich, white and have medical coverage you’re good!

Unemployment, loss of jobs to overseas tax loop holes make me sick to my stomach.

If when I vote I’m picking between the less of two evils (what’s the point)?

Gas prices are ridiculous; making it harder still for the working poor in this country.

People are still forced to choose between medication and food.

Tisk, tisk - they all ought to be ashamed of forgetting their constituents

Deport all liberal Democrats to Havana, where Castro will welcome them with open arms and bean dip.
I predict a massive overhaul in Congress this year. Oust the incumbents without exception. Get rid of all of ‘em. Throw the bums out. Starting with Pelosi. She needs to get a real job anyway. And Paul Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski have been the King and Queen of Maryland for going on 30 years now. It’s time to rein in the ruling monarchy and let us have some democracy for a change. Term limits in Congress. For pete’s sake. TERM LIMITS.

This is the Democratic-led Congress of nearly two years. Dismal failures in every political sense. Pelosie and Reid are hacks, attack dogs for the extremely, whacked-out left. What did you expect? Furthermore, what can we expect when Reverend Wright and his side-kick Obama join them in November. Fasten your seatbelts America. Severe turbulence ahead.

Okay Fox, ya didn’t like that one? Let me state it simply.

Out with the incumbents. If they’re in office now, oust ‘em. Hang ‘em high, hang ‘em low. Just hang ‘em, for cryin’ out loud.

It seems that you forgot one thing….Lobbyists. They seem to call the tune that our government dances to. This is the reason the government has contempt for the electorate. The electorate has no lobby to “influence” the government. This is taking place in all levels of government. From town, county, state, and the federal. How can a member of the government be re-elcted when they need millions to do so? Where can they get the millions? Not from the electorate. The dawn of the “Idiocracy” age is here already!

Don’t give up hope, Tammy, that eventually the, materially-satiated, Americans will come around to remember that this country was founded on Revolution. Power to the People (now you know my gereration)!

The divide between Washington and the American people is appalling. I’d be okay throwing all but 5-6 senators out. I am hopeful Obama can deliver on his rhetoric to bridge the left-right divide and focus on problem solving and compromise.

One note: while members of congress have failed to accomplish anything meaningful, it is disingenous to pin rising gas prices on one party or to categorize an entire nation as incompetent and malevolent. Indeed, that sort of over-simplification and disrespect have gone a long way towards putting this great nation in a difficult bind. It is also silly to call out Pelosi and Reid, though I have little respect for either, when Congress was just as useless before the Dems took control.

it comes as no suprise, why does a little kid act like a brat? because the parents are to busy to pay attention and discipline or redirect in the appropriate behavior. the American people do not hold or expect accountability from Congress, we need good old fashion protests and ralleis and a few heads to roll in order for our Goverment at every level to have some respect for its people. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, and we are taking their B.S. and looking the other way with out a squeak.

The problem with approval statistics is that it does not account for the basis for any opinion. Congress’ 91% negative rating represents dissatisfaction from both the left and the right. People also tend to “hate Congress” but think that their own Congressperson is OK (much as people “hate lawyers except for their lawyer, who is ok”.) Your article is right on target with the observations regarding arrogance. My county has two representatives in Congress ( a Democrat and a Republican) and both are condescending, smirking, “smart guys” who assume they know “all the angles”. They pay appropriate lip service to constituent questions and shed true crocodile tears prior to doing what they darn well please. The Congress can do this with complete confidence that most voters are too busy with their own lives to really pay attention, and voters tend to “forget” very quickly.
Now let me vent on what I see as the real problem: The education system has graced us with a generation of historically uninformed young voters, whose ranks will be swelled soon by millions of uneducated immigrant voters (illegal and legal) from nations having no tradition in concepts of democracy, capitalism or limited government. The Democrats salivate over this massive new wave of voters who will be happy to sell esoteric concepts like “freedom” in exchange for socialized medicine and other government “benefits”. We needn’t worry about Congress..our freedom is about to be sold anyway.

Get over the liberal/conservative thing. That’s the smokescreen the idiots in Washington are focusing on. The issue is SELF-CENTERED, NARCISSISTIC INCOMPETENCE whether of the left or the right. If you think it has anything to do with issues like liberalism and conservatism as governmental philosophies they are succeeding in duping you into blaming their opponent on whichever side of the aisle.

It is good to see a growing number of articles and comments on the this topic. Perhaps a critical mass will develop that results in some sort of substative change in our leadership.

I think it is important to recognize that practically ALL politicians at the state and federal level have or are in the process of using the power the voters have granted them to make themselves wealthy. At that point, the concerns of the citizens are no longer of any meaning to them. Schools are bad, then pay for a private education for their children. Crime on the rise, not in their neighborhood. Fuel and utility costs skyrocketing, whatever. When being an elected official means becoming wealthy enough to not be affected by the “issues”, it’s not hard to understand why so many of them toss a few crumbs to whatever base keeps them in office and then just continue on with business as usual.

I wish there was a way to impeach in mass. Does anyone know how to get under this congresses skin to make them start solving issues. Harry Reid has got to be the worst head of the senate ever and Pelosi just make sure things she doesn’t want don’t come up for a vote.

Impeach them all. If they worked in private industry, how many would not have a job?

Of course, we fail to recognize that this has been a major policy failure since the gas crisis of 1973.

We should have recognized what a problem the middle east and petroleum were going to be in the future. Every single congressman, senator, and president since then is to blame for not taking a lead and getting us out of the petroleum business.

Now is almost too late. Let’s take back the retirement benefits of all the congressman and senators. They certainly did not do us any favors and have put us in a world of hurt.

I find it amazing we continue to subsidize the petroleum industry which has been performing with record profits and have failed to invest funds in alternative energy sources to the same degree.

What a backwards country we are….

Good blog. The Republicans serve the interests of the very rich and the Democrats don’t have the guts or intelligence to do much better. In fairness to the Democrats, they would do a lot better if they had a veto proof majority. The voters have to bear some of the blame for electing these people.

“Of course, 91% of Americans are clueless, hate-mongoring, anti-global warming idiots who just need to accept the changes in the wind and “get over it”. Beware libbies, common sense is beginning to creep in and spoil your agenda.”

Right. Common sense. You lead the way!

Well, that’s what you get why you put a “historic” first-female speaker who so happens to be incompetent, and extremely partisan not only along party line (from GOP), but to her own brethren and support one (Obama) and marginalize the other (Clinton), mostly to appease the far left and the minority vocal interest groups. That’s Pelosi’s way to make another “history” of trying to get Obama the nomination that he does not deserve.

The Congress under Pelosi has achieved nothing. It’s pathetic.

Your liberal friends say this Congress sucks. Becuase it does. We probably disagree on what a good Congress would do, but there’s no denying the the body itself has become a complete and utter joke. In fact, you might say the same thing about our government as a whole.

I’m not FAR LEFT (whatever that means). Frankly, for example, I think the fires should be left burning in California, drill for oil wherever it is and quit wasting money subsidizing art AND useless astronomical telescope research save watching for rogue asteroids. Given this and much more,
I just do not care for right wing knotheads!

You know most problems with this world are caused by religion, greed and back-room dealing politicians. Yet you honor all these traits. You’ll lie, cheat, sell your grandmother to live in the ‘burbs’ away from THEM people; sure don’t mind sending them to war for you, do you?

Guess I’m just another American; you know…a clueless, hate-mongoring, anti-global warning idiot
SMELLING all the changes from your wind!

As a conservative I am totally disgusted with BOTH sides of the isle. I wish I could convince more people to vote LIBERTARIAN. As a life long registered Republican (over 50 years) I am ashamed. God help and bless America. We need more men in office like Harry Truman, and he was a Democrat.

I wonder if Jack Kennedy were alive today would he still be a Democrat?

I am afraid that we here in the United States will soon be like Canada, with a socialistic medical system and taxes on everything you buy or sell (GST).

I am ashamed to be part of the political system, voting for persons that have no longer the good of our country at heart, but it seems every politician is set only on reaping the benefits of his earning great amounts of money for himself both above and below the table.

WHY CAN’T WE DO BETTER?

Hello All!

“There is no talk of resignation and slinking away.”

Ms. Bruce, you are making a basic mistake in understanding how these people (and in fact most people) think.

The reason the leadership in Congress feels no shame is because in their minds if they had only been able to carry out their agenda fully and without having to compromise the nation would be so much better off. Why should these people apologize or resign when according to their perception the mistake is not theirs but the opposition’s in opposing their plans.

As far as they are concerned they were not and are not wrong. Why apologize for being right? I am sure if you ask Reid or Pelosi they will as much.

Pax

I agree Tammy and while we’re at it we should have 2 terms limits in the Senate and 3 in the Congress. And they don’t get retirement benefits unless they full those 2 terms or 3. We can’t stand 45 years of another Senator never holding a real job. Take away paying for the cars and gasoline bills of the Senators. The Senators and Congressman need to be accountable just like the rest of us Americans for getting back and forth to work. Thank you billy for vetoing the drill bill for oil while you was presdent. thank democracks for filibustering the drilling bill the last 8 years. Thank you Democracks for the high electric and gasoline prices.

Common sense is not the realm of either the “conservatives” or the “liberals”. What is interesting is that there is a total lack of understanding as to what those words mean. When you talk about “liberals” are you talking about morally liberal, or as it applies to the size and scope of government. In either case, the Republicans like to cheat on their wives, and have homosexual relations as much as any Democrat. They also believe in expanding government like no ones business.

Looking at this issue as a Republican or Democrat issue is not constructive, and does not address the real issue. Congress does not care, period. They don’t care that they no longer represent “we the people”, and that their every move is motivated by greed, and paying back their corporate sponsors.

It’s time for all Americans to stand up to this, and recognize that government belongs to us, and that the buck stops here. Congress should fear the might of the people, that’s the only thing that will keep them in line.

In review of history isn’t there some parallel comparison to the fall of the Roman Empire? Historians list several factors for their demise and among them included corruption, greed and gluttony within the Roman Senate that caused their downfall. Additionall factors included the lack of care for their military. This is all very similar to today’s lack of concern for the populous of America. If history has demonstrated anything it has shown that when government ignores the people up to and including its own military then the nation is ripe for failure. Of course many historians will adamantly defend the overuse of lead as the primary cause for poor decisions of the Roman Senate however I might suggest that various aspects of air and water pollution, drug abuse as well as clogged arteries as similar maladies of today’s poor decision making by our government leaders.

Careful with your article yo, under the patriot act it is probably considered treason.

I think you forgot your not allowed to speak out against the government anymore and it’s pointless anyways.

We sat there and let them wipe their collective rear ends with the constitution, why should we be disappointed? If people are really so disappointed then they shouldn’t wait or even bother asking for politician’s to step down.

WE THE PEOPLE should just shut the hell up because we all sit idly by and do nothing. Why because you can’t do anything the constitution says we have the right to overthrow our government if it is corrupt, or goes against what the people want. However be careful the patriot act says anything you do against it is a treasonous and terrorist act. And thus will wind up with you sitting in Guantanamo Bay.

Sure a 9% satisfactory level duh that 9% are the politicians. The other 91% are now enslaved by the credit scheme and the illegal taxation of Americans whether via Income Tax or Federal Tax ever tried to get an IRS agent to sign a document saying you must pay taxes? They won’t because taxation without representation is unconstitutional.

Oh and let’s remember the constitution also says it is illegal to incarcerate someone for unpaid debts!!!

Face it were all slaves now and John Quincy Adams is rotating in his grave at about 1 trillion rotations a second.

What we are witnessing is the destruction of our country as a direct result of the polarizing “team” effect of our political process. Liberal vs conservatives. Much the same way the republicans sat back and watched Hillary and obama battle it, that’s what the enemies of the united states are currently doing.

Coming from Fox News I realized that sooner or later there would be bias in the editorial. The gas price increases that were attributed to the democrats in congress by the biased author of the article are a direct result of the idiotic war in Iraq.

Thanks Tammy. I wasn’t polled, but I feel the way you’ve described. I can find no one from either party that I feel reflects my beliefs and values be they fiscal, social, or spiritual. Our government is no longer “of” or “by” the people. Elections are bought today, which limits our choices to the same tired set of candidates at the federal level and sometimes as low as the state level.

I completely agree Tammy! And along with self-obsession comes self-justification, thus the cycle of crazy they live everyday. In spite of our disgust they are convinced that they are irreplaceable. No humility. And by that I don’t mean silly head-hanging-down-self-effacement type behavior. I mean understanding that the system is greater than any single individual. Washington knew this and lived it. If people who decided to serve in office would only follow his example… a couple of terms, then go back to the farm. So we need term limits for everyone! in all branches!

To: it_is_what_it_is

Be careful when calling us “liberals” - we’re starting to take pride again in that label! That should prove to you how badly you “conservatives” have screwed things up.

I believe this rating really reflects our disatisfaction with the direction Bush has taken us. That the Dems failed to stand up and impeach the guy has only added to the malaise.

Monica Lewinsky seems like such a silly issue now. And you focused a whole congressional term on it!

Thank you. It is very comforting to realize that someone else besides myself realizes that absolutely everything that is wrong with absolutely everything is not Presidient Bush’s fault.

Regards

it’s not just you talking….just to let you know that’s precisely how i feel as well.

Your article was appropriately timed as I had just shot off emails to Boxer, Feinstein, and Drier venting about the passage of the Telecom Act. I will now go wipe the froth from my mouth and try to calm down again. Earl Warren must be shedding tears as he rolls over in his grave.

Approval of congress has to do with their complicity in this administration’s crimes against the American people, against its armed forces, and against the constitution. If congress would impeach even Cheney, they would redeem themselves to a level of respectability.

Have you read “The Turner Diaries”?

Are you saying that if the republicans still controlled the congress the approval rating would be higher?
Give me a break!
The lowest government rating ever can be attributed to disallusionment on both sides of the aisle.

Let’s hope common sense and true leadership arrive sooner than later

The current divide between Washington and the American people is appalling. I’d be okay throwing all but 5-6 senators out. I am hopeful Obama can deliver on his rhetoric to bridge the left-right divide and focus on problem solving and compromise.

One note: while members of congress have failed to accomplish anything meaningful, it is disingenous to pin rising gas prices on one party or to categorize an entire nation as incompetent and malevolent. Indeed, that sort of over-simplification and disrespect have gone a long way towards putting this great nation in a difficult bind. It is also silly to call out Pelosi and Reid, though I have little respect for either, when Congress was just as useless before the Dems took control.

I am a lifelong Democrat, but I’m not about to go overboard like “it is what it is” and start yelling crazy things about Republicans either. This problem posed in this story is about the mess BOTH parties have gotten this country into.

In my business, I have the opportunity to talk with people all over the US every day. Their feelings and opinions are just like mine and the author of this story, regardless of their political affiliation. People are sick of what is going on in Washington-sick of both Democrats and Republicans. They are also PO’d. Most people it appears, really do not even like their representatives in Congress. Most people feel that those guys are so consumed with their own petty issues to care about the people that they are supposed to be representing. Again, that goes for Democrats as well as Republicans.

I strongly agree that they should ALL apologize to the people that they are supposed to represent, resign and simply go away so we can start all over again with people who have never even visited Washington.

The utter contempt of the people for the congress is only outdone by the utter contempt of the people for the president and his cabinet . Never has one so inept , or out of touch with reality as the president is, been allowed to remain in office . Nancy Pelosi who is neck and neck ( ineptness rating ) with the president , refuses to allow impeachment and we all wonder at that back room deal .
Senator Obama and Senator McCain both are running headlong into openly bribing LULAC and the hispanic vote to win the election. I sense that conditions are only going to (CHANGE) for the worse
here in America as the White anglo saxon vote is sold out like ice cream on a warm day .

The approval ratings reflect congress’ complicity in this administration’s crimes against the American people, their armed forces, and their Constitution. One or two impeachments would restore at least some credibility to their miserable lot.

THis is just the pot calling the kettle black. A posturing pundit attacking posturing pols. No real substance here folks, no constructive suggestions for an exist strategy from political gridlock, just feelings. Nothing more than feelings. A more fitting title would have been, “No Shame Anywhere”.

Ms. Bruce’s article is well stated, if not, in fact, understated. It is bizarre that the people of this country are so accepting of all the nonsense in DC. One alone can do little, but many can. It is amazing how we stand by as excuses are made for the most corrupt regime ever to disgrace our capital and is led by a president that should envy the IQ of a turnip and the integrity of a gangster, as each far exceeds his. We sat by and watched a visibly corrupt election override the will of the people to select the current president. We accepted that he lied to an entire nation in order to start a war to procure and secure oil properties and Haliburton contracts. We disgrace our veterans, living and dead, who have fought to preserve our freedoms by allowing them to slip away. We succumb to $4.29 a gallon gas as South America proves that unnecessary and Venezuelans pay 15 cents a gallon. Of the people, by the people, and for the people? Come on! What gives?

Term limits? We already have term limits, it’s called an election. The demise of our elected officials is directly tied to our societies lack of education and participation in the governing process. If no one pays attention, they can do what they like. Bottom line is, we get what we pay for, we elected them. It’s us not them, they are a reflection of us.

Could you be any less objective?

I really love how you’ve decided the Democrats are to blame for the gas price increase. Surely there wouldn’t be any other factors… surely not…

The time is coming when we will have to use force of arms against washington DC I cannot wait to see the place burned to the ground and every career politician hanged. Its what our founding fathers would have done

One only needs to look at the votes on legislation since 2005, and compare it to todays vote on FISA and notice the DINO’s among the democratic party who vote in lockstep with Bush. There is no obstructive Congress. There are only rubber stamps. The public continues to be held hostage to a mostly Republican Senate where stuff is actually passed.

I blame Lieberman as he is the renegade vote that the Democrats need to truly be obstructionist.

Brilliant how you (Ms. Bruce) conveniently exclude the fact that we’ve had a Republican administration for 8 years, and neither party truly ever has control of Congress unless it gets more than 60% representation in both Houses. I’m no lib, but your rhetorical smoke and mirrors are easy to detect. You must think your readers are as stupid as Congress thinks they are. Don’t you see how you unwittingly motivate going “all-Democrat” in November, not only in both Houses but almost definitely in the Executive Branch?

I used to be a loyal straight-ticket Republican, but frankly it’s trickster rhetoric like yours and the hate-filled pablum spewing from your comrades at Fox that has thinking minds like mine completely disgusted and turned off. I no longer can relate with you and your ilk. The GOP isn’t truly “conservative” anymore. And it’s not “liberal” either; I think a new word will have to be invented to describe what it’s become. The Know-Nothings of the mid 19th century come close to what it’s become.

Or do you really believe our do-nothing government will fare better with a marginal majority of Republicans contending with a popular Democratic administration? C’mon, no one is gonna buy that! Deal with it: it’s the Republicans that are holding the smoking gun now that our economy is dying, and American morale is in the tank. And it will be hell to pay for the Neo-Know-Nothing party in November. You think by pretending otherwise, you can somehow alter the inevitable? Give us a break.

The foremost fact is that Congress has been getting low poll numbers for years, rivaling Bush in popularity. Mostly lingering in the low 20’s, I recall. This ain’t news and FOX is only trying to make it look like our troubles started in 2006. What a LAUGH. The american people are not stupid.

All generalizations are false, including Tammy’s and including the ones I’m going to make here but what’s a pulpit for?

Congress taking the blame for rising fuel prices is a little silly. Let them process slowly and quietly with as little legislation as necessary or possible. In fact we need more information about the results of all this process anyway before it is inacted.

It’s true you’re either part of the problem or part of the solution and rather than blame congress for the (perceived) ills of our country, let’s look at the basic effort of each of us to make things better. Change occurs gradually and the American vox populi have little patience. I, for one, don’t encourage congress to act to “save us.” It’s never been possible to save people from themselves, especially passing legislation that creates more ills than it fixes. In fact, I don’t think our country’s broken at all. We have flaws and when it becomes important to a majority of our citizens to act to fix those flaws, it’ll happen. Change occurs gradually and there will be people unemployed when markets shift and old technology is replaced by new. A hurricane hits and government is responsible to protect people living below sea level and then pay them if they don’t have any insurance? Since when? We don’t need to be “led” by insecure, popularity seeking, poll reacting factotums. Our leaders are our workers, friends and families. Stop looking to somebody else to make you happy or understand your ills and “fix” them for you. Let congress sleep. We’re better off for it.

The Eternal First Law of Politics: Every politician sells their vote for money and/or future considerations. “Every” as in 100%. Politicians lie through their teeth and say they are voting their conscience or reflecting the needs and wants of their constituency, but they have already sold their vote to the highest bidder. So the obvious question is, who is giving money to Pelosi and Reid and all the rest of the hate-America crowd in Congress to stop us from drilling for our own oil? From building more refineries or nuclear plants? Who in the world stands to benefit from our stagnant economy? From a weak dollar? Which of our adversaries in the world want to shut America down? Whoever it is, Congress is making common cause with this crowd. You can tell Pelosi has sold her vote because she just reflexively keeps saying, “no drilling…no drilling”, and offers some transparent, nonsensical excuses about the environment. She doessn’t even want to discuss a compromise because she’s being paid not to compromise. Of course Relosi and Reid couldn’t give a fig if gas is headed to five bucks a gallon. They’re filthy rich. And they really don’t care if their collective reputation is lower than whale dung. They hide behind armed guards and thick stone walls and armoured black mega-SUVs along with complicit media coverage. And they know they’ll never get caught because they make the laws that protect themselves. A 9% favorable rating for Congress sounds a little high. I’d guess Real World it’s somewhere between 6 and 7%. Coincidently, that’s about the same percentage of the population that think’s it’s cool to have sex with farm animals. There’s a certain symmetry to that, no?

“Don Quixote,” JonathonWillis, and Ernie have the most reasonable and well-balanced takes on this subject. Glad to hear from some of the more rationale folks. Thanks,
Jay

Politicians are loyal to themselves first (average net worth is above $1M), to lobbyists second, to party third, and to country last. Where’s the patriotism there? I say don’t trust em, Democrat or Republican. Toss out the stupid labels of “liberal” and “conservative,” a