Catch 22- noun; a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem (see Joseph Heller)
– Merriam-Webster
Public opinion of Congress has never been lower. The American people think better of stock brokers, banks, even telemarketers than their elected representatives. And Congress has earned every dismal point of disapproval. Remember the debt ceiling debacle? Of course you don’t; you’re too distracted by the vote to categorize pizza as a vegetable or the study showing legislators communicate at a 10th grade level.
Americans shake their heads in disgust as Harry Reid accuses Mitt Romney of not paying taxes based on “something someone told him.” But we’ve moved beyond outrage or even surprise. Every new idiocy inspires as much shock as another banking scandal.
We’re less than three months away from the presidential election and voter apathy seems to be growing. I don’t blame the indifference on the candidates, I blame it on ALL of the candidates. President Obama made this observation: “What Washington needs is adult supervision.” And that’s the key to fixing Capitol Hill. We have to elect people to office who are willing to place some common sense restrictions on campaign finance and earmarks.
In order to do that, we have to elect legislators who are the most qualified, not the best funded. But that requires restrictions on campaign finances. You seeing the catch 22 here?
The only thing that could break the cycle is for voters to ignore the spin and misinformation they’re getting from cable news and become educated about politics outside of party politics. If the American people took election voting as seriously as they take “American Idol”, we just might send a group of legislators to DC who focus on the job at hand instead of the next campaign.
Yes, it could be done. But the chances are almost as low as Congress’ approval rating.