“The speaker believes that sunlight is the best disinfectant,” explained Drew Hammill, her deputy chief of staff, noting that she has asked Representative Zoe Lofgren, who chairs the Committee on House Administration, to examine members’ “unacceptable noncompliance with the reporting requirements” and consider “the possibility of stiffening penalties.”

But on the matter of whether to restrict trading by lawmakers, the speaker is decidedly not on board. Asked about the issue last month, she slapped down the idea. “We are a free-market economy. They should be able to participate in that.”

This is indeed a free-market economy. It is also one that a growing number of Americans feel is not working for them. Combine that with the public’s aforementioned grim view of politicians, and you can see where Ms. Pelosi’s remark might be considered a wee bit out of touch.