Was 2011 One of the Worst Years for the U.S. Government in American History?
With a number of high-stakes standoffs and increasingly vitriolic political rhetoric, 2011 has been far from Washington's brightest year. Congressional approval hit an all-time low, with President Obama channeling President Truman by calling it a "do-nothing Congress." However, many Republicans blamed Obama for lack of leadership as the GOP House and the Democratic Senate struggled to compromise. The year has offered many low points, with multiple near-government shutdowns and the failure of the deficit-reduction "super committee," yet how low did the U.S. government sink compared to years past? Was 2011 one of the worst years for the U.S. government in American history? Here is the Debate Club's take:
The Arguments
No — From a civil war, to impeachments, to assassinations, the U.S. government has seen worse
LARA BROWN, Professor at Villanova University Comment (9)
Yes — The polarization of political parties has reached its highest level in over a century
WILLIAM A. GALSTON, Former Policy Adviser to President Clinton Comment (7)
2011 wasn't the worst of times, just a year to be quickly and gladly forgotten
LARRY SABATO, Author of 'Pendulum Swing' Comment (5)
No — Voters share the blame for their dissatisfaction
CHANDRA MANNING, Professor at Georgetown University Comment (4)
Yes — Republicans failed to act on the Conservative mandate they were granted in the 2010 election
JUDSON PHILLIPS, Founder of Tea Party Nation Comment (4)
