The poor public attitude toward the legislature.

Educated and politically interested people think more highly of their legislature than people who aren't, right?

Wrong, according to public opinion polls from Florida and Illinois.

People with high school educations generally have a more positive attitude toward their legislature than those with college educations and advanced degrees. Studies of public opinion about the U.S. Congress show similar results. The situation has changed since the 1960s when better educated people showed higher levels of support for state government.

People clearly like their legislator more than they like the legislature, regardless of how much they know about issues. And their regard for their own representative remains high, despite their attitude toward the legislature as a whole.

A study of public opinion about the Illinois General Assembly is indicative of attitudes nationally. People with a "low" level of political information tend to like the legislature and their own lawmaker more than people who more closely follow what's going on politically. And while those with the highest degree of political knowledge tend to hold the legislature in low regard, they nevertheless give positive ratings to their own member.

A snapshot of attitudes in Florida, Illinois, New Jersey and New Mexico shows how positive attitudes toward the job the legislature is doing fluctuate. Citizens were asked if they would rate the job their legislature is doing as excellent, good, fair or poor. Before 1987, evaluations in all four states were strong. A sour economy...