Poll: Disapproval of Congress hits new high

[Little Tich]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - A record 84 percent of Americans say they disapprove of the way the Congress is doing its job compared with just 13 percent who approve of how things are going, according to a Washington Post/ABC News public opinion poll published on Monday.

The disapproval rating for Congress inched up two percentage points since October and reflects a year of lows for Congress that ended in a battle over a temporary extension of the payroll tax cuts for 160 million Americans.

Democrats and Republicans fought all last year over the best way to control the country's debt and annual budget deficit, as the two parties tried to position themselves for the 2012 elections.

A vitriolic debate leading up to an agreement last summer to allow President Barack Obama to raise the debt ceiling fueled public disgust with Congress and prompted Standard & Poor's credit rating agency to strip the United States of its stellar AAA rating.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/us-usa-congress-poll-idUSTRE80G03A20120117

[Old and In the Way]

1. Yes, because "Congress" is one monolythic political body.

There aren't 2 sharply divided parties in Congress where each is squarely on opposing sides of the legislation. I truly hate polls that don't try to differentiate the performance of the Parties. This just helps to spread the idea that both Parties are the same when it is pretty obvious that the contrast between the 2 couldn't be much greater. Too bad that don't share the results of 6 different bills with the voting results first...then ask the pollee's what their thoughts are on the 2 Parties in Congress. That would be illuminating and important information for the American people.

[napoleon_in_rags]

2. +1. You never do hear that breakdown. nt

[Bruce Wayne]

7. I've seen it in the past. The public views Dems as slightly less monstrous

slightly, but it still isn't good.

[christx30]

3. I can believe it

Congress has passed NDAA (in overwhelming numbers), and seems eager to pass SOPA. People are pissed about that. I would hope that people are waking up and are ready to start voting their own guys and gals out of office. Get some new blood in there. Maybe we can start rolling back the destruction of our civil rights.

[IamK]

4. and people for the most part will vote THEIR congress people back in..

it's always the other ones that are bad in people's mind...

[annacordova]

5. There is definitely a two-party mindset that has created non-stop chaos.

The Democrats have been in power in Congress since 2007. Nancy Pelosi along with others have ignored the facts and made history up as they wish. But reality is that the Democrats have controlled Congress since 2007. (fact 1) Reality is that Congress became a giant Romper Room sandbox fighting ring and has continued with the "secret meetings" and the "back-room deals" lead by you-know-who himself. Their points are really not the base of the issue but smoke screens to cover up and divert attention to what this Administration is really doing. Because the Dems have been in power, the Republicans have been forced into a push-back attitude to stop runaway spending. For those of you new to how our government works, repeatedly, when the Democrats have been in power, they raise taxes and runaway spending prevails. (seek the facts not opinions) I do not see Congress as one monolithic body at all, but a body made up of individuals. Never before has the country been so divided politically, racially, and philosophically---the end result is ECONOMIC FAILURE. We have already been downgraded on the world market from a AAA rating to a AA and it was done under this administration. Did I write that large enough? Congress is chaos. Chaos leads to destruction in every civilization. We have been set back prior to the Civil Rights Movement because of divisive personalities appointed by this czar, pitting one American against another American. This is wrong and this is the issue that should infuriate every American. I have never seen such disrespect among the young people of today and it's getting worse. All taught by their parents hateful attitudes in their homes. Parents: stop it. Your words have lead this nation in the wrong direction. Teach love, respect, and tolerance in your homes, no exceptions. Every utterance counts. The problem is not "somewhere out there". It's in your words. Change your words before we become a Third World Country. If you don't know what one is, visit Haiti.

[annabanana]

6. This is a Democratic board, have you heard?. . . . n/t

[CoffeeCat]

9. Yes, and it is our duty as Democrats...

...to acknowledge what this poster has so eloquently stated.

Both parties have been purchased by the corporations. The majority of Democrats
and Republicans go to their Congressional offices and spend their entire day serving
their corporate masters.

Those who stand around scratching their heads and wondering why the *Democrats* could
have supported NDAA, or didn't fight more for a public option, or didn't fight for homeowners
who were enduring foreclosure when the banks were getting handouts--have blinders on.

It is out duty as Democrats to call out these heinous acts that disparage our democracy
and all Democrats.

Last time I checked, propagating Fascism isn't one of the planks in the Democratic platform--and
when corporations control the government--that's Fascism.

[Evasporque]

8. Republicans control congress....Welcome to DU enjoy your stay...

Dems have the senate by one seat.....

[CoffeeCat]

10. Yes, it's true that Democrats control Congress...

...However, I agree that as Democrats we must hold our elected officials accountable.

The mess we see with all House and Senate members--is because of corporate entrenchment
in our political system.

We Democrats have to hold their feet to the fire. Both parties--and 95 percent of Congressional
members need to be reminded that they serve "We The People" and not BP, and Wall Street
and the energy companies, and big Pharma, and the war machine.

This is a thread about Congress as a whole--with their 11 percent approval rating.

The entire system has failed and America recognizes it. Calling out Dems is not anti-Dem. If our
politicians get off track, it is our duty--as members of a democracy--to force them back on that
track.

[lovuian]

11. it is time to storm the Bastile :)

Congress has lost complete touch with reality

When they cut Veterans benefits ....I said they will rue the day
the military is mistreated and for years the militia have been treated like dogs


You reap what you sow