New America Foundation to US - The World's Changed: Get Over It

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by classicman

Seems like you are saying they get a free pass because its easier to blame an individual instead of a group.

No, it's easier to blame a group than an individual, but it is useless to do so. That's why Congress's approval rating is so low, and the people responsible for the displeasing behavior are doing fine in the polls. That's how pork gets in. Everybody does it, so blame Congress, not your own Congressman.

Also, people can agree that Congress has problems, but disagree on what those problems are.

Let's say that one reason for disapproving of Congress these days is that they are "do nothing".

Democrats are disappointed in Congress, but they support the Democrats who are trying to do stuff.
Republicans disapprove of Congress because it is under Democratic control, but approve of the Republicans who are threatening filibusters and upholding Bush's vetos.

The Republican members who block all Democratic legislation are from areas where people want Democratic legislation blocked, so they get high approval.

Democratic members are voting for bills that Democratic voters approve of, so they get high approval.

But bills are vetoed and filibustered at record levels, so Congress gets blamed for being "do nothing".