NPR: “Washington isn’t working. With control of the government divided between the parties and every political incentive working against bipartisan cooperation, Congress can barely pass the minimum amount of legislation needed to avoid a government shutdown, let alone address the most pressing issues of the day. Such is the argument laid out in countless blog posts, articles and even books. The public certainly doesn’t think Washington is functioning: Congress’ approval rating hit a new low of 10 percent earlier this year. But one government scholar says all the current hand-wringing about Washington’s dysfunction is misguided.”