Congress Perceived as Unethical

A new Lichtman/Zogby Interactive poll confirms Americans are distrustful of leaders across the societal spectrum.

Three out of four (75%) said they trust government less than they did five years ago. Nearly 60% said they believe the “state of honesty in America” today is in poor shape (18% said it is in the worst possible shape).

Overall, just 3% said they think Congress in general is trustworthy, compared to 24% who said President Bush is trustworthy and 29% who said they can put their faith in the national court system, the survey shows.

Despite this, there is no reason to expect any change from previous elections: over 90% of the incumbents will be re-elected. And while most Americans distrust Congressmen in general, they give above-average ratings to their own Congressman.

The Zogby poll also indicates that while Americans criticize Congressmen in general, they rank themselves much higher in honesty and trustworthiness:

However, Americans do feel they can bank on the actions and words of their friends and co–workers – 75% said the people they work with and live near are trustworthy. Almost everyone (97%) said they consider themselves to be trustworthy, and 85% said they think their personal goals in life are less important than acting with honesty and integrity.

The Zogby poll did not pursue the details, but one wonders what it is that makes Congress so untrustworthy. Perhaps its a feeling that Congressmen campaign on what H.L. Mencken called "an advance auction of stolen goods":

"Vote for me and I promise to steal from your neighbor and give to you!"

And everyone feels he himself is entitled to government booty, but everyone else's entitlements should be cut. And everyone else's Congressman is corrupt because "he's buying votes with my tax dollars," but my Congressman is skilled at getting bills passed that benefit our district.

The good news: liberty doesn't need a majority. Less than a third of Americans supported the American Revolution, a third were loyal to Britain, and a third just wanted to be left alone, according to John Adams.