The dirty little secret is that Congress no longer wants the accountability that goes with the wielding of power

The dirty little secret is that Congress no longer wants the accountability that goes with the wielding of power

Pat Buchanan, a conservative political commentator and former presidential candidate, has long been a vocal critic of the United States Congress and its lack of accountability. In his view, the dirty little secret is that Congress no longer wants the accountability that goes with the wielding of power. Buchanan argues that members of Congress have become more interested in maintaining their own power and privilege than in serving the American people.

Buchanan's criticism of Congress is rooted in his belief that the institution has strayed far from the intentions of the Founding Fathers. He argues that the Founding Fathers envisioned a Congress that would be accountable to the people and would serve as a check on the power of the executive branch. However, Buchanan believes that Congress has become increasingly corrupt and self-serving, with members more interested in securing their own reelection than in representing the interests of their constituents.

One of the key ways in which Congress has shirked its accountability, according to Buchanan, is through the proliferation of special interest groups and lobbyists. These groups, he argues, have undue influence over members of Congress, who are more interested in catering to the needs of their wealthy donors than in serving the needs of the American people. This has led to a situation in which Congress is more concerned with maintaining its own power and privilege than with enacting policies that benefit the country as a whole.

Buchanan also points to the increasing polarization of Congress as evidence of its lack of accountability. He argues that members of Congress are more interested in scoring political points and advancing their own agendas than in working together to find solutions to the country's problems. This has led to a situation in which Congress is gridlocked and unable to effectively govern, further eroding its accountability to the American people.