The Story Behind Congress' Dysfunctionality

Capitol Building

While this time the government shutdown was averted, the fact that it reached this point — going down to the wire — makes you want to be a fly on the wall, listening to these guys communicating. While the two parties’ philosophies differ, one would think that proper planning, competent communications and concern for the common good would have prevented the last minute rush.

Harvard professor, Gary King, decided to examine the communications between the Congressmen involved in trying to make a budget deal, and his findings were somewhat distressing. He discovered they spent 27 percent of their time taunting one another rather than focusing on substance.

The study was based on 48 recent news releases from an equal number of Congressional Democrats and Republicans. On Social Security, a Democratic release said: “Republicans have shown they couldn’t care less about those who have the least.” On the federal healthcare law, a Republican release said: “Democrats have not displayed the same interest in listening to the American people.”

I discovered the above study in a blog on the website, Neatorama. This situation is no doubt symbolic of many other near-stalemate controversies that take place in Congress these days. Whether Republican or Democrat, I believe anyone would acknowledge that hurling insults is immature behavior.