Washington is broken and not only will remain that way for two more years but I fear we have created such a dysfunctional dynamic as to stay that way at least through the next cycle. This presidency and Congressional class can't end soon enough for my tastes. But I have little hope it will get better next go-round.

The American population has Balkanized itself and is getting more so with each passing month. This is the real reason our politicians are behaving so badly. Barring outlawing the internet and everyone going back to watching Walter Cronkite, I don't see us reversing this trend until the consequences hit rock bottom.==============================

It is the willingness to go after other people, whether by selective regulation, taxation etc. the "pay your fair share" mantra falls flat when someone else is always determining YOUR share is never enough.

You want a unified nation? Lower and flatten taxes, eliminate ALL loopholes, apply the law and regulations equally.