Lawmakers' Summer Recess is No Break from Voter Anger

Comstock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- Summer recess has been anything but relaxing for many D.C. lawmakers who've returned home only to find that voters are hopping mad about the economy.

House Republicans are particularly distressed.  Rather than being treated like conquering heroes after swamping Democrats in 2010, they're finding out that constituents are cutting them very little slack, a sign that they could be thrown out of office 15 months from now.

While President Obama has taken a lion's share of the blame for the sputtering economy and high unemployment, the GOP is also getting lambasted for doing little to turn things around.  The recent fight over the debt ceiling and downgrading by Standard and Poor's has not enhanced the Republican brand.

Illinois Republican Congressman Timothy Johnson admits, "I’ve never seen people as angry as they are right now.  They’re angry at the whole system and evidencing that in their comments to me."

Freshman GOP Congressman Paul Gosar of Arizona has been hearing the same at his town hall meetings, saying voters are "very angry.  They want to get back to work and they feel government is in the way with rules and regulations."

Gosar concedes that he could be a one-term Congressman if things don't turn around.

Johnson and Gosar are among the brave lawmakers who are willing to endure the wrath of constituents.  Some Congressmen have decided to skip talking to large groups all together for fear of things getting of hand.

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