When I was young and stupid I believed that Congress was our best and brightest....

[Logical]

I really thought only the best made it there and they were the leaders who would carry us forward to better and brighter things.

Boy did realities hit me at some point.

And now, with people like Eric Cantor, I realize that any randomly picking citizens from anywhere could not be any worse. And may be much better.

There are some dems who still meet my dream candidate standards, Franken, Grayson, Etc. But they are like 1 in a 100.

One thing is for sure, there is no more "Government of the people, by the people, for the people". We are long past that.

[nevergiveup]

1. When I was young

my state (Illinois) had two of the best and brightest, Paul Douglas (D) and Everett Dirksen (R). There was a time.

[bluerum]

2. I share your sentiment. Some seats in congress are bought and paid for by corporate

conglomerates. That may cynical to the core but that's how it looks from here.

[Historic NY]

3. Mostly they're old rotting people.....there are a few stars.

[Tx4obama]

5. Congress by age

The Senate

As of July 14, 2011, 3 senators are in their 80s, 19 are in their 70s, 38 are in their 60s, 30 are in their 50s, and 10 are in their 40s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_United_States_Senators_by_age



The House

As of July 14, 2011 the average age of members of the U.S. House of Representatives is 58.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_members_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives_by_age

[pa28]

4. I was raised as a Democrat and the same thing happened to me.

Just sort of a different twist on the idea that the best and brightest went into public service and would lead us in the right direction.

Clinton was president and he could do no wrong. I was behind the whole idea of NAFTA and free trade because I trusted his judgement. It all sounded to good. "Compete and win in the global economy" yeah, Clinton is a god and he has it covered.

Political ideology and Democratic tradition was out the window because we'd found a better way and we were going to move into the future with it. Winning elections was all that mattered and the rest would take care of itself.

If I had access to a time machine I'd go back and place some stock bets and then go slap myself.

[valerief]

6. It's mainly the sleaziest and dumbest. nt

[OHdem10]

7. The quality and calibre of the representatives have diminished

over the years. When the first thing you have to ask
is how much money do you have to put toward your campaign
you limit the quality.

[joshcryer]

8. When I was 10 we had cable for the first time, and I saw CSPAN. I was awestruck.

I saw the other young pages, not too much older than myself, running up and down in their little suits, and just doing their job of bringing water or taking papers from one place to the next. I truly wanted to be political, to run for office, to be part of that atmosphere.

It faded over time as I became more politically aware and the internet sprung into existence.

[pinkkillersheep]

9. This is a massive generalization but

I find that many liberals/progressives I meet want their elected officials to be smarter than them and have advanced degrees. In contrast, many conservatives I talk to want their elected officials to be "just like me". Different way of thinking, I suppose.

[LiberalFighter]

10. I believe it use to be that way.before the 80's

But, then again it may not have been.

Does it appear to be more corrupt or sleazy now then before because we didn't have access to as many stations as we do now or the internet was not available?

Is money more of a factor because taxes were higher back then compared to now?

Does the fact there are more constituents in each district a factor?

Does the fact that corporations are now free to do anything they want to bribe politicians since Citizens United?

Are there more corrupt sleazy religious leaders then before? Possibly not if you remember the Catholic Church's history or the tent revivals that happened in the mid 20th century. Or the witch burnings in Colonial times. They just change the way they do business.

[RKP5637]

11. Yep, I used to believe the same, that the process/system weeded out most of

the undesirables and those with interests in keeping American a great country for all rose to the top, and they knew what they were doing, were schooled and had rational minds that could be trusted to do what was right for all, for "we the people." I always knew there were some bad apples, some rotten, but anymore that seems to be increasing.

Now I think many see it as a career path for profit, to influence policy to benefit their personal careers and their sleazy corporate liaisons. In short, I've lost respect for our politicians, I've also lost respect for the judicial system and SCOTUS.

I still like, admire and trust some of them very much, similar to those you mentioned, "Franken, Grayson, Etc. But they are like 1 in a 100."

What really bothers me today, is that the masses are viewed IMO with little respect and are seen as sources for money, by hook and crook to fleece. We are now seen as THEM out there, not on a par with congress. That, is very sad. I also think about 100 million citizens, probably more, have been written off as dispensable, not worth bothering with for the future.

I also look at the presidential candidates on the republican side and I see a bunch of losers. They are not presidential material in any sense of the imagination. It makes me wonder if there will be anyone of a high caliber wanting to run for president anymore.

[Incitatus]

12. It's hard for the best and brightest to get elected by a majority.

For those who lie and pander, it's much easier.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. There was a time when that was more true, it was never fully true.

But public service was at one time seen as SERVICE... no modern President would ask you what you could do for your country before doing it for yourself.

This is when we start to speak of failure of civil society.

[guitar man]

14. Heh

Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.
- Mark Twain

All Congresses and Parliaments have a kindly feeling for idiots, and a compassion for them, on account of personal experience and heredity.
- Mark Twain

:D