Congress is not one thing. It is 535 members, 100 in the Senate and 435 in the House. Each one of those is an individual. We have to stop treating and viewing it as one entity.
Because we view Congress as a unified “thing” people are generally disposed to disapprove of the whole while maintaining a generally favorable view of the individuals. That’s why approval is 20% for Congress, but comparably high for individual dirtbag politicians.
Politifact stated that in 2014 “Congress had roughly a 14 percent approval rate, and the incumbent reelection rate… [was around] 95 percent…”
According to Rasmussen, “Voters still think members of Congress aren’t above selling their vote, although they’re less likely to believe that their own local representative has.”
Sports, Because Relatable Examples
Think of it like a football team. Say there’s a player that you absolutely love on the SeaLions (that’s a team right?). Now if the SeaLions lose spectacularly, will you blame your favorite player? Even if it was obviously their fault, you’ll still most likely find other reasons that contributed to their failure, shifting the blame from the individual to the whole.
This is exactly what happens over and over with Congress. When we invest in a candidate, whether with our time, our money, or just our vote, it forms a bond.
Now, this bond may not be as strong as the bond we share with our favorite football player, but nevertheless, we have a vested interest in their success. And since no one likes to admit mistakes, the problem is perpetuated. We continue to support the individual, while casting aspersions on the whole.
Failing
Congress is not failing at their job because Congress is failed. Instead certain individuals within Congress are failing at their job. This leads to Congress as a whole failing.
Just like a football team does not fail at its job (winning the superbowl or something?) because the team failed. Instead individuals within the team fail on different points at different times. This leads to the team as a whole failing.
It’s Not Me, It’s Them
Individual responsibility is a buzz phrase within conservative circles. We’re really good at applying it to 2nd Amendment issues – the problem is with the individual not with guns themselves. Or to the healthcare/insurance issue – people need to take care of themselves and each other, not require the government to do so.
Where we really fail with the whole concept of individual responsibility is when it comes to holding politicians accountable for violating the Constitution.
“It’s someone else’s problem. We don’t have time to keep tabs on them. We sent them to do a job, we should be able to trust them to do it.”
And the excuses go on. 20% approval rating is pathetic. It’s time we took personal responsibility for the character of our leaders. It’s time we look at the real problem – individuals, not Congress as a whole.
How? Glad you asked.
Fix It
Do your research: know how your Congressmen voted, what they believe in and why. It’s actually surprisingly super easy to do.
Stay up to date: know what important bills are being debated during the session, know how your Congressman plans on voting, know the Constitutional role of government
Reach out: make sure they hear your voice on the important issues. Emailing, phone calls, social media are all powerful tools
Freedom is not free. It takes work. Hard, menial, monotonous work. But it’s worth it.
