Congressional approval ratings at historic low of 9%

Washington D.C.--No surprise there, they won't hold the executive branch accountable, and the legislation they're passing isn't in the best interests of the people. But it's definitely the fact that they won't stand-up to the Bush administration.

The percentage of voters who give Congress good or excellent ratings has fallen to single digits for the first time in Rasmussen Reports tracking history. This month, just 9% say Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Most voters (52%) say Congress is doing a poor job, which ties the record high in that dubious category. ("Congressional Approval Falls to Single Digits for the First Time Ever," Rasmussen Reports, 07.08.2008)

The public wants accountability. Not just for the White House--regardless of which party they're in--and in Congress. We're not seeing this, and we're seeing inaction on important social issues. This was to be expected under a Republican administration that had the luxury of a GOP majority in Congress for a short time.

For five decades, they were the minority party. Americans are learning the hard way why. So much for the much-vaunted hope of improvement once the baby boomers held power. What was unique about them was the affluence they were able to live through, when labor was strong and the citizenry was more politically aware and active towards the common good.

To be polite--and this writer is being far too polite--they haven't lived-up to the good side of the WWII generation who warned of a catastrophe once their children assumed control (they were correct). Welcome to that moment, and thanks for nothing. Nonetheless, it all leads-back to the Republican Party, the party of business and runaway wealth, and little else. The Democratic Party is scarcely different.

When it's clear that the economy has finally crashed due to a lack of substantial oversight and regulation of the business and financial sectors, they're going to feel the love in a way they haven't in over 65 years. Democratic incumbents are equally-to-blame, and have been historically in the United States. They just talk a better talk.

That "love" will continue for decades since they have historically never shown a tendency for change. Democrats will also suffer for their systematic inaction. For these reasons, it's time for the third party solution, and time to wake up. "Conventional wisdom" isn't going to cut it anymore.

They say when you get rich, you become a Republican. There's going to be a lot of ex-Republicans soon, and nobody's going to be able to "fix" it...unless we get our own candidates out there. The American people have always been the real corrective-element in our system.

The Rasmussen Reports poll on congressional performance: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/congressional_performance/congressional_performance