Criticisms of Congress

1. Members of Congress are a bunch of crooks.
2. Members of Congress don't level with people.
3. There's too much pork–barrel spending by Congress.
4. Members of Congress just bicker and don't get anything done.
5. Ordinary people can't have an impact.
6. Congress conducts too many frivolous investigations.
7. Congress has no relevance to my life.
8. It really doesn't matter whether we have a Congress or not.
9. Congress can't think long term.
10. Members of Congress compromise too much.
11. There's too much money in politics these days.
12. Members don't listen to their constituents.
13. The legislative process is too complicated.
14. Political campaigns are too nasty.
15. Congress is run by a few big interest groups.

Helpful Hint

You may want to conduct a whole–class discussion and make sure that students understand the replies to each criticism. Ask volunteers to summarize the main points of each reply (listed below). Then have students discuss their reactions.

  Members of Congress are a bunch of crooks.

Everyone knows about the Members of Congress who have done something wrong, but they are few and far between. In general, Members of Congress are remarkably honest. For one thing, modern ethics rules are extremely strict.

 Members of Congress don't level with people.

Members of Congress are under a lot of pressure when they answer questions. When they are reluctant to answer questions, it may be because: a) They do not want to be offensive to their constituents; b) They are in the process of sensitive negotiations and they want to further their goals instead of making enemies; or c) They are struggling with lots of questions and don't know the answer to everything from the top of their heads.

 There's too much pork–barrel spending by Congress.

Pork–barrel spending is actually just a very small percentage of federal spending. Most federal spending goes to Social Security, Medicare, and military expenditures.

 Members of Congress just bicker and don't get anything done.

Members of Congress represent a diverse group of people, and they debate and make sure that every community is represented. The media show the conflict that occurs in Congress, but the media do not show the negotiations that come later and lead to agreements that get signed into law.

 Ordinary people can't have an impact.

The majority of Members of Congress are responsive to individuals. If you want to have an impact on Congress, you have to make the effort. Individuals need to learn how to ask for specific remedies to problems, to target their own representatives in Congress, to remember that it is easier to give representatives in Congress a new idea rather than to change their minds on an opinion they've already taken a public stance on, and to be persistent until you get your views heard.

 Congress conducts too many frivolous investigations.

Investigations are necessary and vital to democracy. They provide a system of checks and balances and keep people honest.

 Congress has no relevance to my life.

Almost everything you do is affected by what Congress has done. Laws passed by Congress regulate many of your activities, such as driving on highways, breathing fresh air, and supporting education. Congress allocated funds to provide for your safety, the security of our country, and to develop many of the items you use on a daily basis.

 It really doesn't matter whether we have a Congress or not.

Congress is needed to help protect the rights of the minority. Congress allows people with different interests in the country to come together and work out their differences.

 Congress can't think long term.

Congress has an elaborate committee system. Members of committees invite experts from around the world to discuss long–term issues that confront the nation and the world. Congress also has a large number of informal groups and caucuses that keep it current on long–term issues.

 Members of Congress compromise too much.

There are more than 535 Members of Congress. In order for legislation to pass, the Members of Congress have to agree. They all come from different areas of the country that don't see things in the same way, so sometimes they must compromise to come to a majority agreement.

 There's too much money in politics these days.

Politicians and political parties need money to take their case to the public. Money is necessary, but it does not guarantee that a politician will win an election. It is not true that the candidate with the most money always wins.

 Members don't listen to their constituents.

Most Members of Congress are very responsive to constituents. Members visit constituents on a weekly basis, respond to letters, and meet with constituents visiting Washington every day Congress is in session.

 The legislative process is too complicated.

Congress's procedural system ensures that all points of view will be heard and gives people the opportunity for thorough and thoughtful analysis of proposed bills. The complexities help to weed out the unwise or faulty bills.

 Political campaigns are too nasty.

Unfortunately, it is true that elections have become more negative. Hopefully, increased public criticism of negative attacks on political opponents will change that behavior.

 Congress is run by a few big interest groups.

Interest groups and lobbyists are important to the legislative process. They provide vital information and expertise on issues and help representatives make the most effective decisions for their constituents.