Trump referred herein as a bullshit artist is certainly a problem in his own. However, the OP is right arguing he's but a convenient and simple example of the s

Trump referred herein as a bullshit artist is certainly a problem in his own. However, the OP is right arguing he's but a convenient and simple example of the subtler, slower moving problems. Of the three Federal branches, Congress confers distinction as that branch with the smallest reputation of institutional credibility. On any of the largest issues, - campaign finance reform - self dealing - gun control - taxation policies - fiscal control - immigration policy - increasing deferral to the Executive branch on war powers - health care cost inflation - partial rollback of Glass-Stiegel act - outsized influence of lobbyists the underlying theme is willful and actual helplessness. The dominant political parties increasingly represented corporations and the upper one percent whether it was the Hollywood A-class or gecko like corporations for profit. Why? Corporations have lobby money and it's easier to interact with fewer corporate contacts that tens of millions of dispersed Americans who lack a single contact point -- even though a House or Senate member has precisely that job. Trump/Bannon saw their opportunity and took it. Congress has no agency in the here and now. Politicians have succumbed to the outsized problem space increased by inaction in what has become an all too familiar trajectory: - they try to position themselves as DC outsiders aligned with hardworking Americans and kitchen table issues whether by portraying us as spinless over anxious, over worked victims or heroic proletariat suckers who still manage the good fight - They talk about what they will do in the always perpetual future Once the campaign is over the realities of institutional incompetence cast a shadow so large it crushes pragmatic action. And thus we become more disalusioned with Congress. In frustration and anger a sufficient number of people went Trump. To use and abuse the Plato analogy, too much cheap symbolism of emotional issues has dominated our conversation about the shadows on the cave wall. We need but turn around and walk the 10 feet out of the cave entrance and do the practical things like clearing up our home camp. Yes, smart doing requires smart thinking -- the two are permanently entangled in the other -- so ideas matter. Dispositioning the shadows matters. But the Federal US government was never intended to be bully pulpit for the Christian right or inveigh on it. That's a problem for a father, mother, son, and daughter. The US government is about a human justice; it's about fighting structural and monied power that violate individual liberty. Right now our cherished ideals are like the crushed and broken stained glass shards on the ground. So be it. Let's start the work of reassembling them an make anew meaning.