Ineffective Elected Congressional Members: A Growing Concern

Photo by Jan van der Wolf

Incompetence among the elected congressional members has been a growing concern today. Political gridlock, partisanship, and lack of action are rampant in today's political landscape. So much so that we, voters, are left to question the effectiveness of the people we entrusted to represent us.

Where is that "Honor to Integrity" within the federal government go, as cited in the book, "American Insanity" by LeRoy Cossette?

How effective is democracy when the people up there fail to act in our best interest as a nation and as a whole? What will become of us when ineffective elected congressional members hinder national progress?

Where will the current issues in the House of Representatives lead our nation?

As citizens, we are the first in line when the impact of problems with Congress erodes public trust. But most importantly, we have the right to demand better from those in power and function in a way that works for everyone.

Defining Ineffective Elected Congressional Members

Before we discuss the signs of an ineffective elected representative in Congress, let us first try to understand what it means to be an ineffective elected congressional member.

As an elected member of Congress, you are responsible for creating and passing meaningful legislation. Taking a seat in Congress makes you responsible for representing the interests of your constituents.

But when you fail to fulfill those responsibilities and patterns of inaction and counterproductive behaviors are persistent, you become an ineffective member of Congress.

What are the characteristics of ineffective elected congressional members?

·         Failing to contribute to legislative discussions and leaving critical issues unaddressed

·         Disconnecting from the needs and priorities of the people who elected them

·         Skipping votes, committee meetings, and public forums; inconsistent presence

·         Demonstrating partisanship, which worsens legislative gridlock

Root Causes of Ineffectiveness

By FREEP!K

Systemic and behavioral factors influence ineffectiveness among congressional members. Examples are:

Polarizing political parties that deepen divisions and cause neither side to compromise

Political divisions end up stalling policies and leaving urgent matters unattended. What happens is that the focus is shifted to winning ideological battles instead of solving problems.

Maintaining positions over genuine public service

Members of Congress perform ineffectively because of political careerism. They would rather protect their positions than take a bold, necessary stance on controversial issues.

Maintaining loyalty toward a political party

An ineffective member of Congress does not think and make decisions independently. They would rather strictly comply with party agendas than prioritize the constituents' needs. And when bipartisan solutions are possible, these incompetent members refuse to work in between.

Giving in to the financial influence of lobbyists

Although lobbying in politics may also contribute to positive changes, it often misguides priorities. It ends up influencing the legislators to focus on the interests of influential groups instead of addressing pressing public issues. Consequently, lobbying undermines the very role of the members of Congress, which is to represent the people, not the select few influential parties.

What Will Be the Consequences?

Giving the seat up there to ineffective elected congressional members proliferates inadequate public policies. Our societal needs keep on evolving, and so should the policies our legislators make. If they remain outdated, we won't be able to effectively address inefficiencies in healthcare, economy, and climate change, among others.

The growing incompetence of our leaders will ultimately lead us to unresolved frustration and disillusionment. This is where we question the legitimacy and purpose of our elected officials. What will happen then?

When those patterns of inefficiencies persist, there will come a time when voter turnout and reduced civic engagement reign over the political landscape. What happens when the political system is perceived as dysfunctional risks? It will foster apathy and cynicism among voters. Alas, the democratic process we so rightfully enjoy weakens.

If members of the Congress continue underperforming, pressing issues affecting us will remain unresolved. Brace yourselves for the doom to come.

What Can We Do as Voters?

Photo by Element5 Digital

Let’s unravel the real situations of the people up there by getting a copy of LeRoy Cossette's "American Insanity" at any preferred online bookstore. It’s an interesting book that reflects on the growing political and bureaucratic corruption and apathy of American citizens.

As we reflect on the pressing congressional issues, may we be reminded of our vital role as voters. We have the power to address ineffective congressional leadership through the ballot box.

The power of the ballot box allows us to reward effective leadership and remove incompetent leaders who failed to meet our expectations. “Good riddance” is the first step to holding those ineffective leaders accountable for their actions.

So, the question is, who should I vote for? Hop in to our political discussion to get a better grasp.