Congress at All Time Low

I don't mean the Congress is behaving at an all time low. I just mean their overall poll numbers are at an all time low - at least since Gallup started measuring.

Just 14% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in Congress.

Here's what I don't get. Politicians are said to purposely take positions that are popular - in current polls. So how do they get so low?

Maybe the people are just in a grumbly mood,
Showing off some survey attitude.