Polarizing political events are leading Americans to increasingly call for a national divorce

A recent poll found that 64% of Americans think the country is too politically divided to solve the nation’s problems. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The United States government has been shut down for nearly a month, yet another indication that the political system has become deeply dysfunctional.

President Donald Trump has blamed the Democrats and called their negotiating strategy a “kamikaze attack.” Democrats are keen to stand their ground, hoping that the fallout is worse for Republicans. While each side casts blame on the other, it is Americans who suffer.