Last Updated on February 12, 2022
Americans aren’t happy with Congress these days. Following the drama over the debt-ceilings, the prolonged grandstanding by both sides and the last-minute maneuvers, what have our lawmakers really accomplished?
For one, according to The New York Times, they’ve reached a record 82% disapproval rating, the highest ever recorded since the paper began taking the poll more than 33 years ago.
But wait! It gets worse!
More than 80% of people said the debt debate was more about gaining political advantage than about doing what was best for the country.
With that kind of widespread belief, incumbents better not get too comfy in their seat. This term might well be their last.
Oddly enough, the Republicans are getting more of the blame for not compromising enough. But that certainly worked for them, since they got most of what they wanted.
The people who are now claiming the Republicans should have been more willing to work with Democrats likely weren’t saying the opposite when a Democratic-led Congress was equally unwilling to compromise.
Generally speaking, we don’t have enough voters who are willing to consider voting for a third party to make a three-party system truly viable. Maybe that’s a good thing, because the average voter is so uninterested and uninformed that having a third major option might only muddy the waters that much more.
But if both parties could learn to get over themselves and work toward true compromise more often without the grandstanding, I think the country would be better for it.
If only….
Wow! That is surprising! Who would have ever guessed that no one liked all the politicking that went on to pass the debit limit extension. (sic)
I voted for a third party in our elections if they endorse I candidate that I like. Here in Connecticut we have a unique law that I don’t think many other states have. Suppose party “A†runs Dave as their candidate and party â€B†runs Steve as their candidate. The third party “C†likes Dave and endorses Dave as their candidate. In the elections…
Party “A†– Dave gets 6 votes
Party “B†– Steve gets 8 votes
Party “C†– Dave gets 4 votes
Dave wins with 10 votes.
This pass election when I voted for governor, I voted Gov. Malloy on the Green party ballot. What this did was give the Green party in the state enough votes to stay on the ballot without having to petition to be on the ballot next election. I want a third party, but I want them on the local level first, I want them to build a base where they can challenge the major candidates in the state elections. Once they build up their base in Connecticut and other states and can really elect candidates on a national level then I will vote for them in national office.
I would also like to see the election laws changed to have a run-off election of the two top candidates if no candidate gets more than 50%. Do you remember the 2000 Presidential elections with Ralph Nader, he drew votes away from Al Gore and as a result Bush was elected with less than 50% of the popular votes in many of the states.
I also believe with “eeyore17021â€, I think many people wanted to see taxes increase on the rich and cutting the loopholes along with cuts. I also believe, which many of my liberal friends disagree with, that corporation should not be taxed but dividends and other disbursement should be taxed as ordinary income, along with capital gains (right now I am living off of my 401(k)s and it is all dividends and capital gains).
@eeyore17026
Yes, I agree with you – and I’m a tree-hugging Democrat (as much as I can be of any religious affiliation), too. Increase taxes to middle and upper class income structures; close loopholes; cut government spending – all great ideas to me, too!
As anyone who knows me already knows, I’m quite partisan in my views. I’m trying to ignore the tree-hugging liberal in me to respond to this, though. Let’s see how I do. 😉
I do have to wonder if the majority of people now believe that spending cuts alone are not going to solve our country’s fiscal woes. Perhaps many of us – regardless of our political affiliations – now believe that increasing taxes to the wealthiest Americans and closing some tax loopholes for corporations are imperative measures that need to be taken to alleviate our debt crisis. Maybe that is what is behind the latest attitude toward the Republican party.
Just a thought.
Regardless, I believe you are right. Both parties need to get over themselves and get back to working on real solutions for our very real problems.