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Opening Arguments

Don't just do something, stand there

If this is true, it's a reason to be at least a little hopeful for the future of this country:

Just 16 percent of voters approve and 77 percent disapprove of the job Congress is doing, according to the September Reason-Rupe pollPolitical pundits who view Congressional action as virtue and gridlock as vice conclude these numbers vindicate their frustration. However, Americans who disapprove of Congress don’t necessarily want to see more action for action’s sake. Instead, 50 percent of them say they want Congress to pass fewer laws than it’s currently doing, only 27 percent of them want Congress to pass more laws, while 16 percent are content with the status quo.

Of course, all polls can be suspected of getting the results the pollsters wanted, and since this is a Reason-Rupe poll at the libertarian Reason magazine site, perhaps a little skepticism is warranted. But the results are so common-sensical. In fact, I don't know why it's only 50 percent who want Congress to newer laws. My hope is that some day 80 or 90 percent will call for Congress to actually start undoing some existing laws.

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