As someone who considers himself a reasonable lefty too, I agree with you. The only we go back to cooperation and compromise, however, is for party leaders to grow a pair and expunge the extremists from both parties. Then, if they're successful, they'd next have to impose some sort of limit on their own power, so that future party leaders aren't the be all and end all. A politician's success should not hinge on how much ass he kisses. He or she should be doing the work of the people. Polls tell you the will of the people, along with simply talking to folks. This series of steps is what will return power to the people. Or an insurrection. That might actually be quicker.