When i saw this chart at TPM...

...and then i saw this comment:

But yet 85% or more of those running for reelection will be sent back. Forget which side you support, that's mind boggling isn't it?

I was like, "Yeah!"

But then i saw this response:

People rarely think THEIR congressperson is the problem. Just everyone else's.

And i agreed with that, too! Of course, my congressman is a rocket scientist.

Leaving my waffling aside, maybe that commentator is right and the 9% approval rating is basically by design. But if so, that illustrates a problem with our system. You'd think at least the supporters of the majority party would be pleased with their representatives. But our system has so many veto points and opportunities for gridlock that nothing ever gets done. So no one is happy. A government needs to be able to actually, you know, govern, so maybe the 91% that is unhappy with Congress can get together and push for a parliamentary system.