America’s 2024 congressional wish list – And why Congress will never give it to us

After 2023, it’s little surprise that Congress’s disapproval rating has hit an all-time low — over 80 percent. Between petty spectacles, rampant corruption, and flagrant disregard for the American people, virtually no one is happy with the derisively (but appropriately) named “D.C. clown show.” As our elected officials struggle to connect with their constituents back home, here are three easy steps that anyone in Washington can take, starting this year, to boost their dismal approval scores.

3. No drama

Here’s an easy one: NO DRAMA! Our politicians seem to have forgotten that we sent them to Congress to do a job, not to flaunt their useless, highfalutin antics on social media. As one historian aptly pointed out last year, “the political spectacle of this whole era may be summarized” by one predominant question—“What is all of this supposed to accomplish?”

The answer: absolutely nothing.

2. No insider trading

In 2022, The New York Times exposed the serious problem of prominent elected officials in both parties selling and trading stocks with direct ties to their official government capacities.

The examples were alarming: Congressman Alan Lowenthal's wife reportedly sold Boeing shares just before his committee exposed the company. Paul Pelosi, husband of Nancy Pelosi, made millions investing in companies his wife actively promoted for subsidies. Representative Dan Crenshaw purchased stock in a company on the same day it was granted $17 billion in congressional subsidies, and that very company later contributed to his reelection campaign.

Clearly, this is not a partisan issue; it is a matter of upholding the values upon which our great nation was founded. We must ensure that our government remains accountable, transparent, and free from the taint of corruption.

1. No excuses

The American people have put up with excuses for why Washington cannot crack down on the federal debt for decades — enough is enough.

Under six trillion in 2000, 14 trillion in 2010, and now, 34 trillion, the national debt is out of control, exacerbated by reckless deficit spending. Ultimately, Congress is vested with “the power of the purse,” meaning they are responsible to fix this problem, which, of course, they have flatly refused to do. Polling shows that 57% of voters say reducing the budget deficit should be a top priority, meaning any meaningful attempt to chip away at this fiscal monstrosity would likely be well received.

But of course, we all know better than to expect Congress to mend its ways. Indeed, it seems the only way we’re ever going to see these much-needed reforms is through a force outside of Washington, namely, Convention of States.

As one COS supporter put it, “The Circus Side Show continues in DC, all while the states are kicking off the real shows with their legislatures. The state legislatures are where the reforms like Term Limits on Congress and a Balanced Budget Amendment can be forced upon the clowns in the circus tent. While the noise is all focused on the unicycle jugglers, real reformers are getting to work in capitol buildings in towns like Cheyenne, Topeka, Des Moines, and Helena. We need to bring the focus away from who will be the Circus Ring Leader. As we all know, the solutions will never come from within the circus tent to fix this clown show.”

Join us in support of the solution as big as the problem when you sign the Convention of States petition below and get involved today.