I'm sure polarization over the last 20 years has a lot to do with it. Each party views the other as out to destroy America. I don't think this started with Reagan. He and Tip O'Neal work great together, compromised and played the game of give and take. Of course Ronnie had to work with him since the Democrats controlled the house for all 8 of Reagan's years.

I think Hastert had more to do with polarization than Gingrich with his Hastert rule. Gingrich actually worked with Bill Clinton behind closed doors, one of the reason the Republicans kicked him out of the Speakership. It's been downhill ever since.

It's high past time that we start electing Americans to congress and the presidency who put America first instead of their political party. For way too long we have been electing Republicans and Democrats who happen to be Americans instead of Americans who happen to be Republicans and Democrats.