Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Exemplifies What Voters Dislike About the Ruling Class
April 13, 2024Key Takeaways
- Voters are responding overwhelmingly with negative comments towards Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee after her comments saying the moon is “made up of gases.”
- While most people are criticizing her for such a glaring and basic inaccuracy while speaking to school children, the response is indicative of a larger attitude of distrust towards Congress members.
- Overall, there’s a sense of disgust towards the elitism of elected officials and a belief among voters that they are self-seeking and corrupt.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
62,000
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
7 Days
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
After a recent video of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee showed her speaking at a high school during Monday’s solar eclipse. Jackson Lee is seen calling the moon a planet and saying it is “made up of gases.” She continued to say, "The sun is a mighty powerful heat, but it’s almost impossible to go near the sun. The moon is more manageable."
Comments from Americans online about Rep. Jackson Lee's statements are overwhelmingly negative. While Jackson Lee herself claims Republicans are criticizing her for something that is unimportant, voters seem to associate Jackson Lee’s misinformed comments as typical of politicians who regularly make false statements.
People online are mocking her for making such a glaring error. Some even called her a “moron” and others questioned the quality of her education. Many express disbelief that she has been re-elected multiple times despite her perceived lack of knowledge. The conversation strongly indicates a significant amount of voter dissatisfaction with Jackson Lee.
Voters also repeatedly bring up the fact that she used to sit on the House Science Committee and the House Space Committee, expressing incredulity that someone in her position could make such erroneous statements. They criticize her as being uneducated, incompetent, and even question her intelligence and that of anyone who voted for her.
Several comments also sarcastically suggest she should be the first person to try to live on the moon, given her belief in its gas composition. Some also express embarrassment and concern over her representation of Texas's 18th district.
Another emerging theme in the conversation connects Jackson Lee to Joe Biden, also mocking him for his own frequent fumbles, inaccuracies, and obvious cognitive decline.
The newsworthy event gave people a reason to criticize her for her policies as well. Some called her out for giving a poorly prepared eclipse speech rather than addressing more pressing issues like crime, border control, and high taxes.
People also seem frustrated about her being a part of the Congress that levies taxes. Overall, the sentiment appears to be negative, with voters voicing disapproval and mockery.
- Rep. Jackson Lee’s approval dropped as mentions spiked after the video was released.
- Her approval dropped from 47% on Sunday to 40% on Tuesday, along with an increase of online mentions from 14 to 278,
Voter Opinions of People in Congress
This incident with Sheila Jackson Lee echoes a broader theme in conversations about elected officials. There is a prevalent belief among American voters that most Congress members are self-serving, unaccountable, and lack the necessary qualifications to effectively carry out their duties.
Overall sentiment seems to be one of distrust and dissatisfaction. Many voters display a cynical view of the "ruling class" and their qualifications for office. People often feel their representatives are more interested in ideological posturing than in serving the people.
Several people express frustration with the perceived hypocrisy of politicians, suggesting they are out of touch with everyday Americans. Others take issue with politicians' intelligence, implying they are not informed or articulate enough to effectively govern.
There's a notable level of anger directed at both Democrats and Republicans, accusing both sides of being pompous and corrupt, as part of the political elite.
Another common sentiment is a perceived lack of accountability among members of Congress. Several voters say these officials have managed to evade consequences for their actions, further fueling the belief that they are above the law. This lack of trust in the integrity of Congress could contribute to voter apathy and disillusionment.
It seems most voters are deeply dissatisfied with the current state of American politics. This suggests a potential appetite for new voices and ideas in the political sphere.