Citizens hope that problems can be solved in the legislative process. Today, many people feel disconnected from their legislators and other public officials. They think our public processes sometimes fail to address important issues. They feel that they can't have an impact on what the legislature does or that the legislative process is run by special interests and lobbyists. These perceptions, whether true or not, result in public cynicism or citizen feelings that they are heard only when they organize into large groups and angrily protest policy decisions.
Cynicism is distinguished from skepticism.
Cynicism is scorn for the perceived motives, virtues, and service of citizen legislators in making policy decisions. Cynicism destroys relationships and cooperative efforts to protect and improve the conditions of life for citizens. On the other hand, skepticism of government by citizens is a sign of a strong and creative public policy process. Skepticism is an expected attribute of representative democracy. Many of the strengths of the Legislative Assembly, including session time limits, floor votes on each bill, a bicameral structure, campaign finance and lobbyist standards, and open records and meetings are attributes of good government that reflect responsiveness to citizen skepticism and instill public confidence.