Self-interest dictates congressional actions.

Self-interest, rather than public interest, guides the actions of many high-profile groups, including Congressmen and senators, a poll conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide Inc. found. Out of seven high-profile groups, only Federal court judges are seen as acting primarily in the public interest, by a 54-32% majority.

Cabinet officers and labor leaders are viewed as less likely to be self-serving than government officials, Congressmen, senators, or executives of large corporations. These perceptions vary only slightly across U.S. demographic groups (age, sex, political party), with one exception: Republicans (60%) are far more likely than Democrats (46%) to believe that labor leaders act in their own self-interest.

Trend data show that, since 1976, only Federal court judges consistently have been viewed as acting more in the public interest, and even their ratings have dropped from a 1986 high of 66%. The public's perception of large corporate executives remained steady over two decades, with approximately...

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