[Genuine Realist]

The lesser danger is that the most hostile in each Party will obstruct the formation of good, and maybe necessary, political coalitions. That is a worry.

A related problem is public loss of confidence in the leaders of both parties and an attendant loss of confidence in our political system. It drives good people away from politics and less good people toward extreme solutions. The former has been a problem for quite a few years, and the latter is becoming more of a problem by the day. It also makes it very difficult for anybody who is trying to be reasonable and make things work to form any coalition or even to be heard.

Oh, the media has been doing that for two generations now, and particularly during GOP administrations.

The good news is that the people of the United States have been deeply cynical about their government since 1789. But for some reasons we trust our nation. I have enormous faith in the public, way beyond superficial identity politics.

[Genuine Realist]

The lesser danger is that the most hostile in each Party will obstruct the formation of good, and maybe necessary, political coalitions. That is a worry.

A related problem is public loss of confidence in the leaders of both parties and an attendant loss of confidence in our political system. It drives good people away from politics and less good people toward extreme solutions. The former has been a problem for quite a few years, and the latter is becoming more of a problem by the day. It also makes it very difficult for anybody who is trying to be reasonable and make things work to form any coalition or even to be heard.

Oh, the media has been doing that for two generations now, and particularly during GOP administrations.

The good news is that the people of the United States have been deeply cynical about their government since 1789. But for some reasons we trust our nation. I have enormous faith in the public, way beyond superficial identity politics.