There is a disconnect between Congress and the public. That has been a topic of a
number of my previous commentaries, and is more evident than ever given the latest
surveys by Scott Rasmussen and his company.

Let’s start with the overall opinion Americans have of the current Congress. The
latest Rasmussen Reports national survey found that just 11 percent of adults believe
Congress is a good reflection of the views of the American people. Nearly three fourths
(74%) say Congress is not a good reflection of those views.

Our republic is based upon the assumption that the representatives in Washington
would reflect the views of the people. Members of the House of Representatives stand for
election every two years. Members of the Senate run for election every six years. But the
direct election of our representatives has not produced a group who reflect the views and
wishes of the American people.

One way to see this more clearly is to look at spending. The political class seems
unwilling (or perhaps unable) to cut federal spending. The president and many in
Congress even defend increased spending and balk at even small cuts in the federal
budget. These recent surveys show that it is not what many Americans think about
federal spending.

A Rasmussen poll of voters found that a majority (55%) thinks spending cuts
would help the economy more than additional federal spending on infrastructure, clean
energy, and education. An even larger percentage (61%) believes cutting the federal
budget deficit would do more to help the economy than increased government spending.

Voters are a bit divided on one issue. More want just spending cuts (46%) than
those who want both spending cuts and tax hikes (41%). But it is clear even from these
numbers that all of them want some form of spending cuts.

Voters must wonder what part of the phrase “spending cuts” their elected officials
don’t understand. It’s just one more example of the disconnect between Washington and
the American public.