Why is Congress so dysfunctional? A complex problem requires
a complex answer.
Tribalism: The U.S.
Surgeon General’s, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation reports
an increasing lack of social connections poses a significant health risk. Stress
caused by isolation and loneliness is the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a
day. With withdrawal, trust and social capital go down while societal divisions
go up. As people become antisocial they become defensive, distrustful, callous,
and hostile.
The American Enterprise Institute found that lonely people often
fill their loneliness-void with politics and tribalism. “Politics provides an easy way to feel a
sense of purpose.” When one’s identity is defined by their politics, “a
person’s moral stature is based not on their conduct but on their location on
the political spectrum.” In other words, personal responsibility is replaced with
hyper-politicization.
Well, I’m running down the road trying to loosen my load. Take it easy
(The Eagles)
Immorality: We increasingly
see immoral actions by elected officials. Not only do we tolerate what was once
unacceptable, we’re applauding it with donations. For some, the worse they
behave, the more they raise.
A Virginia State House candidate was exposed for performing
sex acts with her husband, by request, online to raise money, “for a good
cause.” When exposed she blamed Republicans for an invasion of privacy…”to
humiliate me and my family.” Suggesting, “…there is no line they won’t cross to
silence women when they speak up.” Congresswoman Boebert hit the news for being
ejected from a public stage performance because the real and very public “performance”
was between her and her date. Congressman Santos has been charged with stealing
donor identities and fraudulent use of their credit cards. After resigning for surreptitiously
taking photos of a young woman, Nebraska Unicameral Senator Groene retorted, “I
did nothing wrong…I’m not gonna let the Democrats attack me and embarrass my
family and my wife.” Senator Menendez is
facing charges of bribery, extortion, and conspiracy to use his office to act as
a foreign agent.
Lighten up while you still can. Don’t even try to understand. Just find
a place to make your stand. Take it easy.
Even political ads incorporate violence. Over 100 political
ads featured guns during the 2022 midterm. Arizona’s Jim Lamon ran campaign ads
gunning down his political opponent Mark Kelly despite Kelly’s wife, former
Congresswoman Gabby Giffords having been shot in the head. Earlier Sarah Palin ran
an ad that focused a rifle scope on Giffords. Former Missouri Governor Greitens
ran an ad wearing fatigues, kicking-in a door with gun in hand, and offering
RINOs hunting permits. The Missouri Fraternal Order of Police condemned the spot
saying, “This deplorable ad has no place in our political system and sends the
message that it is acceptable to kill those that have differing political
beliefs.” Finally, former President Trump is named in four pending felony suits
and was convicted of sexual abuse, fraud, and misuse of charitable funds.
It’s no mystery why political trust is at an all-time low.
It’s a girl my lord in a flatbed Ford slowing down to take a look at
me.
Distrust: The
foundation of our model of self-governance depends upon trust. Since the 1970s,
trust in the medical industry has fallen by 46%, organized religion has fallen
33%, the Supreme Court is down nearly 20%, banks and schools by 34%, and only
30% trust the media. Congress is down to 8% while the criminal justice system
holds steady at 17%. Surprisingly, science tops the chart with the trust of 64%
of Americans.
Fear: PBS reports
that 83% of Americans feel our Democracy is under threat and only 9% believe the
parties can work together.” Tellingly, 3 out of 4 say compromise is more
important than standing on principle, and while a rudderless GOP House struggle
for leadership, unlike Hastert, Boehner, Ryan, or McCarthy, Pelosi held her
party together.
We may lose, and we may win. Though we will (probably) be here again,
so open up I’m climbing in. Take it easy.
In November there’ll be another budget showdown. The House
majority GOP can bow to MAGA radicals and default on creditors or they can reach
out to Democrats and compromise: something a large margin of Americans support.
Whatever they decide to do, it will be self-inflicted, somehow President Biden
will be blamed, and your family will suffer the consequences. The lesson is
that character matters more than ideology.