The inability of the Democrats to pass a non-binding symbolic vote is a prime example of just how bad Congress has become.

An intersection of two problem that are compounding each other is creating a major national problem.

First, the Democrats lack of real leadership. The party still lacks leadership the combines a strong hand in congress with a vision of what they want to achieve. Too many of the ones in positions of power are afraid of coming across badly in the press that they end up afraid to do anything.

Second, rewriting of the procedures of Congress in a way that encourages exactly the wrong behavior. In particular the way the filibuster rules where rewritten a few years ago makes it far to easy to filibuster. Essentially making Congress require a super majority to pass significant bills, increasing the deadlock factor.

Jay