Poll:Root canals preferable to Congress

WOOD TV

By Rick Albin

Updated: Jan 8, 2013 6:27 PM

WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) — With the immediate threat of the fiscal cliff put off for a couple of months, most of Washington is preparing for Pres. Barack Obama's second inauguration. But the looming fights over debt limits and spending are not being lost on members of Congress, who will soon have to deal with the same old problems.

Congressman Bill Huizenga, (R-Zeeland), who is beginning his second term in the United States House of Representatives, said Tuesday he understands the public is restless.

Huizenga was in West Michigan to talk to constituents in Wyoming about the fiscal cliff and what will happen in the next 90 days in the nation's capitol. The debt limit may need to be acted upon as early as next month and the sequester -- or automatic spending cuts -- by early March.

Huizenga knows that as a member of Congress, there are many people that do not give the body he represents a very high grade.

"A failing grade. I mean, I don't know how you have any other conclusion than that," Huizenga told 24 Hour News 8. "Even though I may go and do my job out in Washington, it's the whole team that's really failing the country, and that's the frustrating part. And I think it really comes down to can you trust people at their work. And I think that's been part of the problem with Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid: They clearly don't have that working relationship. And now with Leader Pelosi coming out and moving the goal posts again. It's that kind of thing that really frustrates people."

In fact, a new survey from Public Policy Polling suggests that those asked like root canals, head lice, colonoscopies and Donald Trump better than they like Congress.

Only 9% of those polled gave a favorable rating to the body, while 85% had an unfavorable view.

Despite all the concerns the public apparently has about their elected representatives, the magnitude and impact of the decisions they will have to make in the coming weeks cannot be overestimated.

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