The Decline of Congress
Polarization,Paul Gosar,Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,US House,US Congress,Capitol Hill,Social Media,Polarization,Politics
Congress has a public approval rating of 22%, which makes us wonder what the 22% are watching. It can’t be C-SPAN. If they paid attention to this week’s spectacle involving Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar, the 22% are likely to join the other 78%.
Mr. Gosar, a Republican, illustrates the decline of Congress in profile. He tweeted an anime video of the Congressman attacking a character with the face of Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and swinging a sword at a character with President Biden’s face.
Mr. Gosar has since deleted the video. He issued a statement saying the video “was not meant to depict any harm or violence against anyone portrayed in the anime. The video is truly a symbolic portrayal of a fight over immigration policy.” He has apologized to his fellow Republicans, though not as of this writing to Ms. Ocasio-Cortez.
The episode reveals that many Members of Congress now behave as if their job is to become social-media influencers or cable-TV stars, as opposed to accomplishing something. Healthcare and tax policy are so “establishment.” Tweeting a cartoon is a perfect metaphor for today’s House of Representatives.
