According to a Gallup poll conducted this summer, asking people how much confidence they have in various institutions, only 7 percent of Americans said they trusted Congress a great deal or quite a lot. A mere 29 percent trusted the presidency.

During the 2012 campaign, President Obama often resorted to his favorite substitute for thinking: ridicule. Before enthusiastic audiences (who were assured his re-election would spell a thriving economy and a revived middle class), the president would mock Republicans by suggesting that "they have the same prescription they've had for the past 30 years. ... Take two tax cuts, roll back some regulations, and call us in the morning."

One of the more delicious aspects of the recent election is that the biggest supporter of Democrats the powerful teachers' union bosses may have cost Democrats the election.