The Tragic Mediocrity of the U.S. Congress

Reptilian. Shameless. Greedy. Nauseating. Criminal.

These are the types of adjectives that every so often—the interval between episodes never lasts long—are inspired by one story or another about this or that member of Congress.

As it happens, we are in one of those seasons again. Perhaps you long ago relinquished your faith that most lawmakers are decent, conscientious, responsible people who are concerned first and above all with legislating in the public interest, and only then turn their attentions to their own earthly appetites.

Even so, some of these recent...