Why Does Congress Find Some Critical Problems Intractable?

Critical Problems Intractable for Congress

Our nation can no longer afford the luxury of Congress finding some critical problems intractable. Though we expect our elected representatives to heed our concerns, they cannot for the following reasons:

• A candidate’s media image has become the primary factor in winning an election in this information age. Paid advertising consumes two-thirds of election funds. Only wealthy special interest groups have the discretionary money to fund political campaigns in today’s political environment. Moreover, their members own the news media that profoundly influence the elections. Thus, without special interest support, the Congressional candidates who might be willing and able to solve the Problems almost inevitably lose their elections.
• No matter how much congresspersons may wish to serve the People, when the reward for attempting to correct these Critical Problems is to lose their special interests support, and consequently their next election (including their congressional power and perquisites) it is no wonder that the Congress cannot solve the Problems.
• Moreover, neither the Executive nor the judicial branches of Government have any power to solve these congressional Problems—our present Constitutional system of checks and balances find the Problems intractable