Politics & Government

Congress is More Popular Than Gonorrhea and the Kardashians

Less popular than lice and cockroaches, says new Public Policy Poll. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin blames Speaker John Boehner.

The government shutdown has put Congress in the spotlight, which is not a good thing. The public already considers them lower than cockroaches and colonoscopies. Seriously. 

A Public Policy Polling survey earlier this year found that respondents consider Congress less favorably than: head lice, root canals, Canadian rock band Nickleback, colonoscopies, France, used-car salesmen, traffic jams and Brussels sprouts.

It’s not all bad news for Congress though. Americans surveyed do prefer Congress to telemarketers, lobbyists, gonorrhea and the Kardashians.

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Only 9 percent of those surveyed have a favorable opinion of Congress. A whopping 85 percent have an unfavorable view of Congress.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, the Senate Majority Whip, blamed House Speaker John Boehner for Tuesday's government shutdown.

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“Moderate Republicans were starting to speak out, saying even if we don’t like Obamacare, we don’t want to see our government shutdown. But the Speaker wouldn’t call (the spending bill) for a vote," Durbin told Politico, adding that he hopes the shutdown won't last long. "And so we’re in this position today. This is conduct unbefitting a responsible Congress."

— Les Masterson, Patch.com

Read the full report on Public Policy Polling’s website. 

What do you think of Congress? Have this week’s actions changed your opinion? Let us know in the comment section. 


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