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The problem is that neither side wants the other to have any legislative victories and have not in a long time. The GOP, when they have the slightest majority, legislates like they are coming off of landslide wins and have a mandate. The Democrats, whether they have a filibuster proof majority or a razor thin one, always seem to try to compromise and end up pissing off the Republicans and annoying their own base causing them to lose interest in voting for them.
Look no further than the Affordable Care Act, where Dems had all three branches of government and (briefly) a filibuster proof majority in the senate. The Democrats tried to compromise, ended up with a program that looked like one the Republicans wanted (and led the debate on) in the 90s rather than universal coverage, and then no Republicans voted for it (and spent the next ten years trying to eliminate it).
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