How long before Congress loses legitimacy as an institution in the American people's eyes...?

[First Speaker]

...I'm getting seriously alarmed about this. The antics of the GOP are beneath contempt. If the Republican Congress ignores its duties and tries to destroy any Dem President for being a Dem, sooner or later there's going to be a massive constitutional crisis. Which, of course, the media will blame on both sides...:-/... Representative democracy essentially died in Europe in the 1930s. It *can* happen here, and I think we aren't far from people asking themselves, not whether the Dems or GOP should control Congress, but whether or not Congress serves a useful purpose anymore. And on that day, God help us...

[Dwayne Hicks]

1. Excellent question

What can we do if Congress ceases to able to perform even its most basic functions?

[tularetom]

2. About ten years ago

The liberal media just haven't caught on to it yet.

[99Forever]

5. Exactly n/t

[LadyHawkAZ]

6. +1

[nolabear]

3. 3...2...1...

[SummerSnow]

4. It is really starting to look like its headed that way.

This do nothing Congress doesn't serve a purpose. But their voters won't demand their ouster. They re-elect them every time. They know they do nothing but the Rethugs fear monger and their voters are afraid of Obama and the change this country is going through. So they rather re-elect them knowing they suck , vote against their own interests even to their detriment.

[cantbeserious]

7. I Had No Idea They Remain Legitimate - Who Knew

eom

[blkmusclmachine]

8. GOP <<WANTS>> Americans to lose faith in Government. Easier to drown it in Norquist's bathtub.

[jen63]

14. ^^^^^THIS^^^^^

Exactly.

[3catwoman3]

9. Seems to be pretty much...

...a fait accompli already.

[Spazito]

10. I think that happened some time ago hence the dismal turnout in midterm elections...

the Presidency is still seen as having legitimacy which is why turnout is much higher, still too low, than midterms.

There was an expression I heard during labor negotiations, it was 'use it or lose it' referencing using ones' rights or risk losing them and I firmly believe this also applies to the right to vote.

[bigwillq]

11. It already has

which is why many have no confidence or interest in politics.

[davidpdx]

12. I think their creditability in the last two years has gone down the shitcan already

It's going to sink faster than the Titanic.

[HooptieWagon]

13. They're at what, 13% approval?

Still haven't reached the bottom yet, but they're gunning for it.