Ungovernable

It is the essence of a constitutional democracy that all viewpoints are invited and considered. Representing hundreds of millions of individuals, it is expected, indeed required, that those persons elected to represent, consider not only their insular interests, but the interests of the population as a whole. Compromise, in this context, is a virtue and a requirement of a successful democracy, not a sign of weakness. Somewhere along the way, this concept not only lost it's central role but became anathema to the role government is to play in our lives. Indeed, in many Congressional districts, the word itself has become tantamount to a four-letter word to be hurled with the same vile contempt that many (often in these same districts) use to describe those ascribing to a progressive political view. Indeed, in many of these districts and the States in which they are situated, even the mention of a willingness to listen and consider an opposing view has garnered threats of political retaliation that all but guarantees months of abuse ultimately culminating in an electoral loss to someone more "pure" in his/her thinking.

Such is the world we now live in, brought to you by those who created the Tea Party and by their followers. So long as this extremist world view continues to dominate our political landscape (and there is no sign that this political terrorism will cease anytime soon) there is simply no chance that the principles underlying the Constitution...a vigorous democracy where all viewpoints are invited in order to arrive at a governing decision that provides for the well-being of the entire population...can and will be realized.