Republicans [i]have[/i] hurt America to a great extent, more so than Democrats IMO. Obama isn't the worst thing to happen to America, he's actually pretty smart and balanced in his perspective. He isn't pushing for radical change, he's looking to fix the current system, and like any person or group of people his administration has their take on how to fix it. That's why he gets so much slack, both from people that want to radically change the system, and from people whose are benefitting the currently broken system. And then you have petty politics and media fabricated controversies. Both parties simply represent the people that support their campaigns, and those that pay to lobby aka bribe/negotiate with politicians. The average voter and the bulk of citizens have to be proactive to get a piece of the pie, and we do. In both parties we see that the grass root movements at the bottom are getting more good work done than those at the top. I think democrats are more sympathetic to the middle-lower classes and thus act accordingly when making public policy. But i do recognize the works of conservative grass root movements and don't view them as a political opponent. But the fact is that there is a divide in America, thanks to the big money that has thrived off of the dividing of Americans (see "The Loudest Voice In The Room"). We have all been forced to take sides, I can't say I'm immune.