The Founding Fathers were really clever. The checks and balances designed into the U.S. system of government were intentionally designed to limit governmental power over the people. So gridlock is a feature, not a bug.

"Democracy" means if Democrats and Progressives (and/or Magas for that matter) are upset that they can't get their food stamps, generous health insurance subsidies, functional air traffic control system, or whatever else it is they want from government--they need to go to their elected representative's offices, or call them, or email them, and express their feelings.

Progressives have to make a decision: Do you want people in need to get their SNAP, or do you want "leverage" for political power, in exchange for their misery?

If you want the needy to get their SNAP, you know who to contact. Democrat Senators.

Do it!

THAT is democracy. Exercise your democratic rights, or quit yer belly achin.