Political conflicts over control are becoming commonplace in Washington, but have you taken a step back and analyzed why? This unnecessary strangulation of the democratic process is due to a few common practices, party politics, deference to the executive branch, and the prioritization of voters' concerns about wasteful government spending. Some cause more problems than others, but overall these are the three main causes. Party politics prevents Congressmen and Senators from straying from the path of their political party. We also see voter ignorance as a large part of the problem of government waste. Many like to complain about the problems with our laws, but then support the laws when they are passed by Congress. This makes it very easy to pass waste laws because they know the general population will let it pass most of the time. If your party holds the presidency, but that president does something unconstitutional, that party will likely stand firm to support the president. Although executive power is a function that deserves respect, respect cannot stand in the way of the Constitution and laws of the land. No one is above the law, especially people in high office, who should be held more accountable because of their importance in American life. Control of Congress is a major part of the system of checks and balances, and if these major problems continue to occur, we will see more and more people abusing the American democratic process. As long as there has been a two-party system, there has been party politics. This phenomenon, by definition, is that a member of Congress (whether Democrat or Republican) is so party loyal that they will vote for these bills, resolutions, or whatever simply because their party supports him. This becomes problematic when you want to express what is best for your constituents, but that may not be what the party advocates. This makes Congress very lazy, regardless of party bills can be passed that are not what is best to distract them but for the good of the party. Of the three factors, this is the one that least hampers congressional oversight. While this is an issue, it does not affect the monitoring barrier factor as much as the other two. This practice is becoming more and more common each year, and as a result, it is almost rare for Democrats or Republicans to vote outside their party line...