How low is approval of Congress?

Pretty low. Thirteen percent last month in the latest Gallup survey. It hit a record low of 10 percent a couple of times last year, but Gallup says the small change doesn’t really represent an improvement. Think “margin of error” I guess.

The irony is, we hate Congress, but we love our representative. Eighty-five percent of the members of the House were re-elected in 2010. That’s actually a historically low figure, matching the number way back in 1970. In 2008 and 2006, 94 percent were re-elected. In 2004, 98 percent were re-elected.

So apparently it’s not the people, it’s the process we don’t like. We hear a lot about frustration with Congressional inaction, but there’s plenty to be frustrated about when they do act.

Take what opponents call “The Monsanto Protection Act.” It was inserted into the Agricultural Appropriations bill in committee, then the bill was passed by the House and Senate, and signed by the President.

Of course, members offer amendments to bills all the time. It’s part of their job. But here’s what I didn’t know. When a bill is still in committee, members can insert language to, for instance, benefit Monsanto … anonymously!

Watch a report on the story on “The Daily Show” as only Jon Stewart could do it.