"We Have An Entire Generation Who Imagines Their Member Of Congress In An Orange Jumpsuit."

Source: SFgate.com

Young voters and longtime congressional supporters imagine their fellow Congress members wearing orange.

The atmosphere of corruption and cronyism is so thick in politics right now, with the public perception of Congress at a all-time low.

A recent AP-Ipsos poll echoes those thoughts:

"71 percent disapproved of the way Congress is handling its job, while only 25 percent of those surveyed approved."

"We have an entire generation who imagines their member of Congress in an orange jumpsuit," said Paul Light, a New York University professor of public service, referring to the common prison uniform. "It's like members of Congress don't have any shame."

For the first time since the Abscam scandal a quarter-century ago, multiple lawmakers face criminal and ethics investigations that are tarnishing Congress, already low on public approval.

Three separate bribery investigations by the Justice Department were bad enough news for lawmakers. But the woes only increased last week when the House ethics committee broke a 16-month partisan gridlock and announced investigations into the same matters.

I guess what really confuses me in the midst of all this corruption and these indictments is the failure of the GOP-led Congress to act on lobbyist or campaign reform legislation. It's almost like the people in charge continue to look the other way while their peers keep committing obvious crimes and ethical violations. I often wonder when they are going to realize the people want accountability and to see heads rolling for the scandalous actions many have taken.

I understand the GOP's lack of action.

Putting your own to the fire is the equivalent of being disloyal to the party, but failing to act on obvious wrong doings is a failure to the voters who put you in office.

It also smacks in the face the very oath every Congressmen takes when they join Congress.

With a lack of true and transparent reforms, our Congress again fails us all.

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