Retiring Sen. Gary Ackerman (D-New York) said in an interview with Businessweek the lack of civility in Congress is a result of a "dumber" public. "Society has changed," he said. "The public is to blame as well. I think the people have gotten dumber."

The other part of the problem, Ackerman said:

"Washington has the ability to attract some of the brightest, hardest-working people in the country. That works. The problem is when you have some of the brightest, most hardworking people in the country who become a–holes. [Laughter]"

[Businessweek]