North Texans in Congress lament historic low approval ratings

Congress this month got its worst approval rating ever, 14 percent, the lowest in Gallup Poll’s history.

That’s even lower than the rating for President Bush, who had 28 percent in the most recent Gallup Poll.

Congress’ approval rating has steadily declined from 23 percent approval in January, then dropped 5 percentage points this month alone.

Before this month’s rating, the previous low was 18 percent in May, according to the Gallup Poll.

In the 34 years of Gallup measuring approval of Congress, the rating has dropped below 20 percent only six times, according to the poll.

Maybe it’s gas prices hovering around $4 per gallon. Food prices that seem to increase nearly every week. The rising unemployment rate.

Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, said the rankings are disheartening.

She holds periodic telephone Town Hall meetings, and she knows what the concerns are: the cost of gas, food and energy in general.

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Arlington, agreed, saying, "Nobody wants to be part of an institution that is held in low regard. Period.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Democrats, who control the House and the Senate, have a responsibility to move issues forward.

That’s why both parties need to work together to address problems from high gas prices and create a new energy proposal, he said.

Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House and a California Democrat, has attributed the low ratings to a lack of a resolution on Iraq, telling CNN that attempts to draw down troop levels have been blocked. Referring to Bush, she has also said that Congress is busy "trying to sweep up after his mess over and over and over again" and that Democrats have been acting on energy and economic issues.

Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, said he fears the public doesn’t know enough about Congress to put the blame on the right shoulders.

"Not only does Congress have an approval rating below bubonic plague and head lice, I saw a recent poll that as many as 40 percent of people still believe that Congress is in Republican hands," said Hensarling. "I wish we could get a little accuracy out there about who is in charge — and let those ratings fall where they may."

[Another John]

This should tell the folks in congress that "We The People" are more intelligent than they think.
I don't believe that there has ever been more disappointing leadership in congress. It is mind boggling.
We have a special caucus for everything and they polarize their own members in support of special interests. They have become more and more unwilling to work with one another.

WE THE PEOPLE NO LONGER MATTER TO THEM...AND WE ARE DAMNED TIRED OF IT.

[WTF]

Another John wrote:

This should tell the folks in congress that "We The People" are more intelligent than they think.
I don't believe that there has ever been more disappointing leadership in congress. It is mind boggling.
We have a special caucus for everything and they polarize their own members in support of special interests. They have become more and more unwilling to work with one another.
WE THE PEOPLE NO LONGER MATTER TO THEM...AND WE ARE DAMNED TIRED OF IT.

surely none of what you wrote is new to you?

[Another John]

WTF wrote:

<quoted text>surely none of what you wrote is new to you?

Not any part is new to me. But, now it is even worse.

[fireantz]

Maybe all of them (congress)just need to take an intensive course on the constitution. Just for a job description to work from. Then, disable and disband the corp of lobbyists. They (congress)might then move on actually writing their own legislation instead of letting special interests write our laws to serve themselves. While they (congress) are at it, how about they read everything they vote on (might save them from those McCain Viagra moments-we know he didn't have a clue he had ever voted for such a thing). If the people who are there can't figure this out, they should go home and get a real job because what they are doing certainly isn't earning their salary.

Oh, I forgot, they need leadership. Well, never mind. I don't see that happening either.

Yes, I am a whiner. I work hard and I earned the right to whine about what is happening to this country.

Unfortunately, congress doesn't read Topix so now I have to contact each of them individually. Will give me something to do at home, since I can't afford gas any more.

[Another John]

The two biggest problems are "Her Majesty" Nancy Pelosi and "What are we gonna do now" Harry Reid.
The Democratic party has much better leaders among their ranks. These two make old Democrats like me shiver.