In recent years, there have been two major criticisms of Congress and how it promotes the public good.?

Question

In recent years, there have been two major criticisms of Congress and how it promotes the public good. Describe these two criticisms.

In recent years, there have been two major criticisms of Congress and how it promotes the public good. Describe these two in two paragraphs.

Answer 1

There have been so many criticisms of Congress over the years, it's hard to just pick two "major" ones.

Will Rogers once said: "With Congress, every time they make a joke it's a law, and every time they make a law it's a joke."

Over the years, Congress watchers (like Charlie Cook from National Journal) have repeatedly bemoaned the "partisanship" that has gotten worse over the last two or three decades. Part of that is true, there are many more partisan votes than in the 60's and 70's, and fewer bipartisan deals made.

This "polarization" is due in part with the increase in membership in the House of Representatives of the Republican Party. Prior to 1994, the Democrats dominated the House for 40 years. In that year, many conservative and moderate Democrats lost or retired and were replaced by relatively conservative Republicans.

Now after 12 years, the Democrats are back in control and not in any mood to do a lot of bipartisan legislation (the old saying: "Bipartisanship means saying 'you vote for my bill.'"

Part of the reason for polarization is typically assigned to redistricting -- i.e. gerrymandering. With new computer technology and information, districts can be drawn so that the Congressman representing it often has a solid majority vote he can count on, and so may be more ideological in his outlook. This happens in both parties, acting to preserve incumbents.

The other main complain I've heard is "they can't get anything done." What that means depends on who you ask -- get what done? Certainly right now it could mean the basic reponsibilities of Congress -- getting the basic spending bills written and signed into law; right now only 1 of the 12 bills for 2008 has been enacted (for Defense).

Another criticism has been on corruption (Jim Trafficant, Duke Cunningham and Bob Ney got put in jail for some of their deals, and the less said about Mark Foley the better).

One other criticism is plainly that they spend too much money. Of course, that's a general criticism, ask any given person about a specific spending program (student loans, farm subsidies, food stamps, Medicare, etc.) and whether it should be cut or eliminated, you might get a very different answer.

Another Will Rogers quote just to wrap it all up: "The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets."

Answer 2

1. It was. I googled "palestinian fire bomb" and found lots of coverage. The first hit was ABC news from 6 days ago. It is a terrible crime and I hope they catch the perp and I hope the victims recover speedily. 2. And Israel's leaders have condemned the attack as terrorism. 3. Meanwhile, most Palestinian attacks on Israelis are still not reported at all; and the Arab leaders' incitement to violence is also not reported. PS: As I wrote, most Palestinian Attacks and incitement against Israelis is not reported at all. The fact that you heard of one example, from some time back, does not change this fact. You asserted that it was not on the news and you couldn't find any coverage. I used a relatively "generic" google search and found it easily. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Answer 3

My criticism is they work for the multi-national corporations and no public good comes from them. They should stay on vacation.

Answer 4

Sounds like someone is doing their homework and needs help???