is the inability to get things done in congress attributed to...

[freepcrusher]

members of the silent generation leaving congress? As late as the 102nd congress of 1991 and 1992, members of the Silent Generation (1925-1942) made up a majority (237) of members of the U.S. House. Although democrats had a 60 percent majority, it seemed that back then both parties were able to get things done and there wasn't much vitriol in congress. It probably helped that you still had a lot of Jim Leach republicans and Charlie Stenholm democrats too.

[Sheliak5]

Well, the parties back then were much less ideologically divided. And in your post is the key, the democrats had a 60 percent majority. Its pretty much impossible for either party to achieve that again any time soon, so naturally things are more divided.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Both sides have increasingly become more concerned with voting on things because their party supports it than because they acutally support/oppose it.  Both sides have increased the use of the procedural filibusters, and this refusal to compromise is why they don't get things done.

EDIT: This is my 5,000th post on this board, by the way!

[King]

I blame the internet and cable TV, too.  It's easier to have a scandal now.  Our leaders are now too self-conscious to lead.  They've gone from representing the interests of the people to representing the opinions of the people, most of whom have no more than a casual understanding of the law and issues.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Yes, polarization seems to be at record highs (at least for the time period of this char).

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Yes, polarization seems to be at record highs (at least for the time period of this char).

What exactly is that showing?

[t_host1]

… a perception that;

health care resolved, --- not
distribution of wealth now guaranteed, --- not
practical affordable energy, --- not
trustworthy markets/financials and their currencies, --- who’s?
environmentalists, gays, Jew’s, Muslim’s, Christian’s, believers & non and all the creators & makers with nothing to do --- NOT;

while a few others consume all the attributes of liberty on the control of our “ inability to get things done”