Why are the American people satisfied with their Representatives when nothing is getting done on either side?

Question

Neither the Republicans or Democrats are giving any indication that they understand that they work for the people.

Answer 1

In most cases they are not; neither the democrats nor the republican but there seems little we can do to fix the problem. Most of the senate and congress should be impeached; not because there are not a lot of good men and women there but because too many lack the fortitude to speak their real opinion and alienate themselves from the rest. They have to continue to support each other so they can get the votes for their own interests (those that take care of their own districts and the people who helped get them elected). The Republican controlled government under Bush was a disaster and will leave us with problems for years to come. We thought we could get a handle on things by giving control of the Senate to the Democrats but they have not done any better. What used to be the mainstay of American Democracy has become the American mockery. Our elected officials on both sides lack the skill to negotiate, to serve honestly in the best interest of America, to say what has to be said, and to take a personal stand on issues. It is easier for them to blame problems on others and argue what is wrong than to fight for what is right. As a democrat I am toughly infuriated at Reid and Pelosi for the way they have performed. They are intelligent people sitting in positions where leadership could turn our problems around. They however prefer to continue fighting and arguing without achieving anything but stirring up more hate and discontent in the Senate, congress and the White House. Their agenda appears to be nothing more than the previous six years were; argue but get noting done. I had hopes they would be ready to drop the Democrat v/s Republican agenda and take on the American Agenda – repair the damage caused by six years of inattention, infighting, and free wheeling presidential abuses. We have another chance coming up to try replacing the DO NOTHINHGS in congress and the senate and elect a president that can return America to what we were. All voters need to take long and hard looks at who is in office, who has done their job, have they earned the money we pay them and a right to stay in office!  DO NOT just listen to what they say but look at their record (they will all say what they want you to hear and what will get them into or back in office but does their promises and arguments reflect their past?) We all need to vote but if you do not study the candidate’s TRUE person it is best if you just stay home; an unintelligent vote is worse than no vote at all. Be sure when you vote you know the person you are voting for has accomplished what they say they did, that they can properly represent you and America, that they have the fortitude to speak their mind regardless of how popular or unpopular the issue.

Answer 2

It is always easier to talk about the failings of someone elses relatives.  Our personal representatives in Congress are our responsibility, and if we take on that responsibility, we have to admit we were wrong.

I think that with this Congress, we are actually willing, for the most part, to accept responsibility, and make some real changes.  I hope so.  We need to change the entire construct of the Congress.  I had a teacher once who had the philosophy of never voting for an incumbent.  I am beginning to believe that he was right.

The changes we need to make would require term limits, an end to the system of hierarchy in Congress, where seniority is everything, changes in the compensation they receive, an end to the tax structure that is crippling us, and a coming back to the Constitution, as it was written, not as it is continually being reinterpreted to cater to one special interest or another.

Answer 3

Look at the numbers from polls about satisfaction with Congress and the President.  The numbers are at historic lows.  People are NOT satisfied, which is why so many Republicans were voted out in the last election.  

People tend to be more dissastisfied with the representatives of other states, though, and see their own representatives as "looking out for our interests".  

I am curious to see how this next election turns out, as the low satisfaction numbers could signal that a lot of incumbents may be voted out.  

It's pretty obvious that Congress just doesn't "get it".  The last election showed that people want a change, and they want action.  Instead, all we get is more stalemate and inaction.  That could result in the Democrats losing their majority in the next election.  The trend, as seen in the last election, is that people are willing to vote new candidates into office, and if that trend continues you will see a turnover in our overall representation (Isn't it great to be an American?).  Out with the old extremists and in with the new moderates!!

Answer 4

I think the smart americans are not satisified with both parties and are looking for real choices to make a difference. Soon I think the politicians will get the wake up call when they are packing up thier offices an going home.

Answer 5

I'm not satisfied and I am an American.  Single terms for all of them!  While they are getting up to speed, they can't do much harm.  The less our reps do any more, the better.

Answer 6

When nothing's getting done, they're at least not making things worse, which is what Congress normally does.

(There are, of course, exceptions, like the AMT, which gets worse all by itself, since it's not indexed to inflation.)

Answer 7

sometimes being dead locked is a good thing, at least they are not making things worst when they are dead locked.

Answer 8

wow, currently the Dem led congress is over a month behind on financial issues. The standard bills that keep the government running .

They have to pass these every year, most of the old fogies could write them in their sleep.

But this year they have set a new record for being late on almost all of them.

Why? Because this congress has pssed away the entire year so far trying their best to loose a war and embarass the white house.

Satisfied? Not in the least bit.

Answer 9

Good point!  Don't vote and the politicians will have no power!

Duh!