How have the characteristics of members of congress change over time?

My favorite American President was not a person who is well known nor was in his time, well liked.  But he was principled. After serving as president (1 term -- that's where the disliked part comes in) he served in congress. His policy was to bring forth any bill which exercised the constitution so he was accused many times of being "this sort of man" or "that sort of man."

The problem was he wasn't any sort of man except a constitutionalist, and he could not be bought.

His name was John Quincy Adams. Now you can compare what I've said about him with what you hear about congress today. We do not respect our politicians. At the same time we don't always trust or like them. We are governed by pressure groups that insure their interests are served, and not the interest of the country or the people they represent.