AMERICAN democracy is in the doldrums. The bipartisan functioning of the American system is in shambles. It’s marred by a new phase of internal conflict and political violence. In the aftermath of the attack on US congressman, Lee Zeldin, the government has granted lawmakers $10,000 to beef up security at their homes.A few weeks ago, Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, was subjected to harassment by a man who stood outside her house shouting racist slogans and threatening to kill her.