When everything is analyzed and laid on the table...

[kentuck]

When everyone is blaming Donald Trump for the condition of this country, they are looking under the wrong rock, in my opinion.

The problem is with the US Senate, most specifically, Mitch McConnell. Chuck Schumer is unable to communicate with him on anything. Mitch McConnell has let this country deteriorate to the point of total disillusionment.

Our problem sits in the US Senate. It could have been very easy to use a little oversight of the Executive Branch but McConnell gave him a free ride. Of all people that should never be given a free ride to do whatever he wants, it is Donald Trump.

To understand our problem, we need to look at the source, in my opinion.

[Demsrule86]

2. Link doesn't work.

[Demsrule86]

3. It is absolutely Trump's fault...seriously ?

McConnell shares the blame...but don't excuse Trump...please as there is no excuse for Trump.

[Wounded Bear]

4. The root of the problem is endemic to the Repub party...

[Hortensis]

6. +1 to both. Thank goodness some realize the grave danger

won't just go away with Trump.

The GOP's McConnell and company threw in with the new kleptocracy they helped create, and which put them in power for that purpose. Which also fostered social and religious extremism among RW voters to harness and to divide and conquer the electorate. Trump's merely a rather outstanding symptom of the pathology that's taken over on the right and embedded at all levels in almost every conservative-controlled government in the nation.

[kentuck]

7. But Trump only does it when he is not challenged.

There has to be just a little bit of challenge from the US Senate, in my opinion.

The accomplice makes it possible for the criminal to continue his pursuits. Trump does not get an excuse.

[Stuart G]

5. Thank You for this post...McConnell is as much of the problem as is Trump.

Maybe more of the problem. As you said, "McConnell has let this country deteriorate to the point of total
disillusionment"....and just as important....maybe more important...McConnell is a true reflection of Trump...
...........He only cares about one person, himself!!

[kentuck]

8. If we take it down another denominator..

...it is up to the people of Kentucky to realize what type of person Mitch McConnell really is and to replace him in the next election.

Most Kentuckians take their politics very seriously. And they do not always follow Party lines.

Let us hope they replace one of the most useless politicians ever.

[warmfeet]

9. All of it, repeat, all of it,

is symptomatic of a failed form of government - our form of government. Our two party system is not codified into law. The constitution says nothing specifically about two parties only. George Washington famously warned of political parties. Yet, the constitution does make it clear that the winner takes it all - power is not shared, the majority party has all the power. This guarantees a two party system. Two party systems guarantee that the two parties will nearly always be at odds with each other, and their supporters as well. On rare occasions, they may cooperate - this is not the norm.

The senate is not a democratic institution. It would require radical alteration to become one - a constitutional amendment.

I am a hard core, lefty, liberal progressive. I vote for Democrats up and down the ballot, every election. I wish I knew how to get past the structural defects in our system of government, but I do not.

At this point, I am having a difficult time seeing this country as anything but a failed state. I will keep working to change things, I will continue to vote for Democrats, but things do not look good at this point. Relative to the rest of developed countries, we are doing very poorly in the majority of metrics.

[kentuck]

10. I think you are correct.

This is not our father's Oldsmobile.

[BlueMTexpat]

11. Your post really resonates with me.

We must change our political structure completely.

It is absolutely devastating to see have fast we have devolved.

[BlueMTexpat]

12. True, but there is no reason at all

to let Trump off. He and McConnell deserve to be cellmates.

Forever.

[kentuck]

13. No.

"...no reason at all to let Trump off."

[DownriverDem]

14. Wrong about Schumer

I disagree with your opinion. You need to focus on the repubs not the Dems. The Dems do not control the Senate. Do some research on how the Senate works. If you did you would not attack the Senate Dems.