Do You Trust Our Congress?

Score yourself on the following test to see how much trust you have in the U.S. Congress. Please mark the number that most closely matches how you feel about each of the following pairs of statements.

Here is an example using the first paired statements: If you agree strongly that most Congress members act unethically, select “1.” If you agree strongly that they promote the public welfare, select “7.” If you’re not sure or don’t have strong feelings, select “4.”

A. Most Congress members act unethically and are out for themselves.				Most Congress members are out to promote the public welfare as they and their constituents see it.
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
B. Congress members don’t care what regular people think.				Congress members care deeply about what their constituents think.
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
C. Americans agree on what is right and necessary, so Congress should just pass the laws that people want.				People disagree on most issues except at a general level, and Congress must resolve the clash of values and interests.
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
D. Congress members are the servants of special interests that look out for themselves, not the will of the regular people.				There is an organized group for almost every conceivable policy interest that anyone might have. The number and diversity of interest groups ensure that all sides of an issue are heard but that not any one group comes out ahead.
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
E. The lawmaking process doesn’t work well because of politics, unprincipled deal-making, and needless conflict.				Making laws is a contentious process because it takes in so many competing values, interests, and constituencies.
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
F. Congress members are not accountable for their actions.				Congress members, who must run for office every two or six years, are as accountable as anyone can be.
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

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