Democrats always blow themselves up. Always. Republicans always blow everybody else up. Always. Between the two runs a common thread, one of dysfunction and incompetence, buffered by hypocrisy, ego,  greed and corruption. Trickling sideways, not up on down.
The Democrats (Progressives?) always bring a heartfelt list of grievances to a gunfight. Jesus they're pathetic. The Republicans just kick the shit outta them and go to the bank, shaking their heads, grinning. Occasionally a Demo will see the light and cross over and go to the bank. Maybe that's why they're called Progressives?
Obama came in with maybe the biggest majority in history & couldn't get anything done. (Well, he got a dog and a garden) Bush came in with shit and got whatever he wanted done, done. And Bush was dumber than, well, a bush.