Thoughts from an odd duck

Dysfunctional government is due to Democratic Party neglect of local politics. The Republican Party uses local politics as farm teams, finding talent to make its way to State and then Federal office. Democrats treat local elections like pick-up games; turning State and Federal politics into spectator sports where one celebrates wins or bemoans losses on election night and then goes back to 'real' life until the next hoopla. It makes no sense to blame Republicans for their success or what happens when there is no effective opposition. Change  requires regular engagement in humdrum meetings to see how government actually works; and respectfully push back against wretched excesses, which are inevitable with one-party rule; whatever the party.