R Congress and the
Public

Thursday,
March 12, 2009

8:20 PM

Very messy

Complex

Different groups can
attract concessions

Each side picks
apart the other side's work for political reasons

More media exposure
= decreased public support

Almost everything
public, and opponents ready to pounce

Seems good

But it hurts ability
to compromise because decision visible back home

Public most likes
Supreme Court which is not very public

Debates rancorous
not "real"

Talk more about
things that help small interests

People
hate Congress but love their member

Thinks members care
more about power than people and loose touch with the people

Only 42% of public
says that Congress tells the truth

15% of ex-members
become lobbyists

Old members can
still use dining room and gym and can lobby on the floor of the senate

Most of the public
poorly informed about Congress

Think congress
accomplishes nothing - but they do

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R Congress and the
Public

Thursday,
March 12, 2009

8:20 PM

Very messy

Complex

Different groups can
attract concessions

Each side picks
apart the other side's work for political reasons

More media exposure
= decreased public support

Almost everything
public, and opponents ready to pounce

Seems good

But it hurts ability
to compromise because decision visible back home

Public most likes
Supreme Court which is not very public

Debates rancorous
not "real"

Talk more about
things that help small interests

People
hate Congress but love their member

Thinks members care
more about power than people and loose touch with the people

Only 42% of public
says that Congress tells the truth

15% of ex-members
become lobbyists

Old members can
still use dining room and gym and can lobby on the floor of the senate

Most of the public
poorly informed about Congress

Think congress
accomplishes nothing - but they do