We should all be ashamed of what is going on at the border. All of us. This isn't a partisan problem, it's an American problem.

I envy my grandparents. Their America was by no means perfect, but I envy a generation who did not dogmatically hate the government. I envy a generation and a government who worked together to do BIG things.

They built our infrastructure, yet we are too hesitant to maintain it, much less expand and improve it.

They put a man on the moon, we de-fund NASA.

They took Wall Street head on and imposed regulations that helped cultivate 60+ years of economic growth, turning America into THE world economic leader. We sell out to Wall Street and remove the protections (particularly, Glass Steagall) our grandparents put in place, protections that could have helped prevent the great recession.

Our grandparents were partisan, just like us. But they were different. Their parties were different. When necessary, both sides could put country ahead of party. And they were much, much more patriotic than dogmatic in terms of how they viewed our government and what it could/should do for our people. They weren't perfect by any stretch, but they were more American than our generation. That is, if you view America as a country of leadership (in technology, manufacturing, education, science, and societal advancement.

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But I disagree that our government is US.

I once gave an Oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. THAT is where my loyalty lies, not "government". Not political parties, and certainly not politicians.

As the victim of five federal audits in 18 months, of being villified in political speeches almost every time the President speaks, of being pushed around by regulations coming out the wazoo and told I can't hold my religious beliefs and live my life according to that creed (which has been accepted for centuries)and still be gainfully employed or run a business...that nothing I worked for and earned is deserved and actually belongs to the state...

This government and this administration clearly does not represent me, my family, my friends or those like me.

There is a price to pay by always being in campaign mode. By constantly trying to force a one sided view of "progress" on to people. That price is divisiveness.

Your feeling that government is US or even is the American Nation is a liberal one. keep in mind that it is NOT a concept that is universally shared. It never has been. And it is less so now.