The editorial cartoonist for the "Indianapolis Star" is a gentleman named Gary Varvel. I've enjoyed Mr. Varvel's work for several years - first for its conservative nature, and second for his gift of pointing out political stories that the mainstream media tends to overlook. Recently, Varvel turned his sights on the United States Congress.
The latest public polls have put the approval rating of our Congress at an embarrassing 9 percent. It is easily a record low for Congress and is something to be truly marveled. Democrats took control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives after the 2006 elections, when Republicans had held control of both chambers for four years. Little has been accomplished in that time.
What does this mean for us? It means we are displeased with those we have elected to office. It means we are not getting our tax dollars-worth. It means change is needed.
That sounds so odd.
In 2006 Americans were told by the Democratic Party that we needed to put them in control of Congress to undo the mess President Bush had made. I remember the scare tactics they used and the great promises they made for what they were going to accomplish. Nancy Pelosi, as the Speaker of the House, now stands as the most powerful woman in the history of American politics but seems to have very little to show for it.
There are several lessons to learn at this moment, looking at a failed Congress. We see how devastating it can be when we have nobody working for us on Capitol Hill. Gas prices are rising to a new record high every single week. This was one of the key issues Congress promised to deal with. Nothing has happened, and its lists of excuses are running out rapidly.
The Democrats have control and can push through most any legislation they so choose. They have much of the control over which bills make it to the floors of the House of Representatives and the Senate. With all their influence and power, what else do they think they need in order to get things accomplished?
One other thing this has showed me is what news stories our impeccable media like to cover. It seems that as the end of his presidency draws near, George Bush's approval ratings have become a common update on the evening news. Whenever he fumbles a word or makes a mistake, it is a leading news story.
Congress simply should get the same treatment.
American politics has never and will never be fair. Americans have a tendency to always be critical of those they do not like, while they are more than happy to overlook the shortcomings of those they do support. I do this. I know I am guilty of it. But I would have hoped that single digit approval ratings would have garnered a little more interest from the general public.
When the Democratic Party promises great change and progress in this election, let's try and keep it in perspective. Words are cheap. Anybody can promise to change the world. But both parties have been failing us. And if we allow ourselves to fall for these promises once again, as we did in 2006, perhaps we deserve everything we are going to get in 2009, as well as everything we will not get.
Write to Alex atapcarroll@bsu.edu
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
