In recent years, reports of congressmembers and government officials accused of bribery, fraud, sexual misconduct, and other unlawful or unethical behavior have provoked increased public disdain for politicians and cries of “Throw the bums out.” According to U.S. News & World Report editor in chief Mortimer B. Zuckerman, “A popular national sport has developed: blaming politicians for everything, from lying and cheating to bouncing [House of Representatives bank] checks.”

Many voting Americans and others, for example, rebuke senators and representatives for exploiting their positions for personal profit. They criticize privileged “insiders” for enjoying official perquisites—such as automatic raises, guaranteed pensions, and government-paid travel—that are unavailable to most Americans, as well as for accepting private gifts and spending campaign funds for personal use. According to New American writer William P...