The real obstruction to progress is the idea that both sides are equally the problem.
Personally, I disagree with just about everything you wrote but not up for a big debate so I'll only address this one statement. In my opinion, among that of many others from both sides, this is the one that I could not be any more diametrically opposed to. A very large bulk of the politicians of both sides have proven that they don't represent the people anymore. Yes, even within your own beloved Democratic party. The very reason why so many of them are moving away from a number of their representatives that they've put in office, some even into the GOP's camp, which I do not believe will solve any of their concerns. Most of the ones that I know aren't necessarily leaving their preferred party (and that's from both ends) but are completely disgusted with the actions of what their representatives are doing, and yes, that includes some very, very hardcore dyed in the wool Democrats who are pissed off with the leadership within the Democratic party. They aren't turning Republican, or even Tea Party, but they recognize that there is too much toxic waste within that needs cleaning out. I agree that the Republican regular Joes took this step first with wanting to get away from the Neocons but give your own people some credit for recognizing a problem and wanting to put it back to what they believe it's ideals are supposed to be.
Too much corruption and ownership within both sides... YES! Equally!
Both, all too often, end up leading us into:
* the escalation and even inciting of more wars, ala the military industrial complex (Can you say Blackwater?)
* the loss of decent American jobs... or jobs period!
* more and more Banksterism robbing us of our money and controlling political decisions even against the peoples desires
* the loss of more and more of our rights and freedoms
* more and more Big Brotherism spying and tracking every factor of our lives
* preferential treatment and benefits for the elite and top governmental politicians while continuing to put the screws to the majority of American tax payers
* the total collapse of the housing industry and the complete and utter fraud of the mortgage industry
That's a limited list but each parties' leaders have moved away from representing the people and, instead, doing what their puppet masters (too often some major bank or corporation) want them to do.
As they say, if you can't see this, or are in total denial of this, than you are part of the problem.
