Government gridlock is a pejorative that careens around political circles to condemn the Constitution's separation of powers and checks and balances and the philosophical cornerstones of the American Revolution. Detractors of gridlock are traitors to our forefathers.

With the prospect of ever taking back the White House dimming with every election, and with the possible loss of control in the Senate staring them in the face, this is all they have left to promise to their rabidly anti-Clinton base: continued gridlock, and endless investigations.

Washington, September 23, 2016. Power is an old game in this city, but a style in play last week made all others seem crude. Aung San Suu Kyi, the effective head of state of Burma, was in town, and in her presence, the American government performed at peak form.

Perhaps the time has come to launch a modern 21st century conversation, ten years long, about our election procedures, our governing mechanisms, and the 18th century constitutional structures bequeathed to us by our founders.

Ryan's dream now lies in tatters. It has become something of a nightmare, really. In fact, Ryan has had no more success in getting his caucus to agree on anything than John Boehner managed.

The champions of gridlock who are blocking action on President Obama's Supreme Court nominee are basing their obstruction on a canard. They know it - which must be why they are previewing their next line of attack. It's one that Alexander Hamilton warned about.