Three news stories combined this week to show why most Americans are furious with the national government that purports to serve them. The government’s legislative and executive branches are culpable in one way or another for their respective “dysfunction,” so who can blame voters for rebelling? Unsurprisingly, some members of Congress are retiring in disgust.
First, Sen. Bob Corker’s not unexpected announcement this week not to seek a third term is important for Tennesseans. But it also intensifies the Republican party’s headache ahead of the looming midterm elections, the results of which are anybody’s guess.
Corker has long favored the citizen-legislator concept, explaining in his announcement that he had early on thought of serving only two terms. Tennesseans and the GOP establishment need only consider his background as a successful businessman and Chattanooga mayor to understand his thinking.
Those careers reinforced Corker’s reputation as results-oriented, and for good reason. A business owner who ignores that ideal can soon find himself working for someone else. And a derelict mayor is just one telephone call away from disgruntled constituents.
That helps explain Corker’s expressions of frustration over Congress’ failure so far to pass any significant legislation despite the members’ promises otherwise.