US political system in ‘very bad shape’
The US political system is in a very �œpoor shape” and in dire need of �œreform” to win back the trust of the American public, says Larry Birns, director of Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA).
�œThe American system of three branches of government is very much under stress right now and the American system of politics– political process– is in very poor shape and battle shape,” Birns said in a phone interview on Thursday.
The constant partisan bickering in Congress has dragged its approval ratings to near all times lows. A recent Associated Press-GfK survey found that just 5 percent of the public approves of the job being done by senators and representatives, while 83 percent disapprove.
�œAt the present time Congress as an institution in the US is perhaps at the lowest rating it has received in its history,” Birns noted.
Members of Congress showed little interest in preventing a $5 billion reduction to food stamp benefits last week. The cut affected nearly 48 million recipients. More than a million Americans will also lose unemployment insurance at the end of the year unless Congress takes action.
Congress has been showing a �œmean and nasty face” to the American people and it needs to �œimprovise some new initiative” to win back popularity, Birns said.
The electorate will be demanding lawmakers make more �œconcessions” on their behalf, he added.
The federal government shutdown that lasted for 16 days last month is expected to cost the US economy between $2 billion and $6 billion in economic output, according to a report by the Office of Management and Budget released Thursday.
HJ/HJ
Source: Press TV
Source: http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/us-political-system-in-very-bad-shape/
