If only we could come to understand that this very fact is the source of our dysfunctional politics. We've let government grow to big, too powerful, too meddlesome. When allowing someone you disagree with to take the reigns represents a real threat to your core beliefs, elections become a desperate struggle. If, on the other hand, the power of government is constrained by strict constitutional limits, it's not such a big deal who's in charge.
I believe that path toward reuniting our country depends on this principle.
But, this battle has been, and is being waged, under the Constitution and in line with its principles. It is only empowered because WE have become accustomed to voting them into office based upon their ideologies rather than our own self-interest. And, it's about to happen again.
Well, I don't believe it's the case that the principles embodied in the Constitution endorse the scope and reach of our current federal government. But there's not much to be gained in debating the 'original intent' of those long gone dead. My point is that, regardless of your interpretation of the Constitution, democracy (even cursory, representative democracy) cannot support government with this much power. It can't do it and maintain an open, pluralistic society, in any case.
That's why it's coming apart at the seams.