Seriously this is the best America can do?  Talk about low expectations. The American system has checks and balances that are institutional in nature. On paper. Sometimes they even work, but often they haven't worked.  However, its hardly a 'good' or effective  democratic model. I mean its not ideal, considering how corruptly you can buy your way up and in. Campaign finance is devastating to the legitimacy of American democracy. It stokes anger and cynicism. Its no longer  a competition of ideas for policies that support the public good, but who has the most money from fundraising.  Add in to that the massive gerrymandering of the congressional districts and you have a recipe for gridlock and incompetent government. The founding fathers, I'm guessing were fine for their time, but 18th century designs are failing 21st century society. They need tweaking and modernization so that Trump and other demagogic,unrepresentative politicians don't even have a chance of gaining the Presidency.