When it comes to single factors, does one stand out as being especially poisonous to the body politic?  Yes.  And Worm knows, it’s a monster:

The gerrymander.  Does anyone else see it as a social and emotional Rubicon?  “United We Stand…Us Here, You Over There”.

Show me a Gerrymander, I’ll show you a House Divided.  

This fatal divide isn’t between Asses and Elephants.  Both parties love gerrymandering.   Take contemptible political whore Arlen Specter…please.  His political principle?  That Arlen Specter needs power.   And remember Democratic pols and pundits whining about Bob Bennett’s primary loss in Utah? 

There are two national “D.C.”s:  Dividers and Conquerors, and Divided and Conquered.  And non-Washington D.C.ers give in entirely because of social pressure…ie, your slavers call you names if you don’t submit.  Awwww.

I’m required to have compassion (it’s a religious thing).  But you get no sympathy.  That’s for those enslaved against their will.