It now seems almost quaint to look back on how speakers of the House and presidents of opposing political parties managed to set aside their partisan differences for the greater good.

I can recall Democratic Speaker Tom Foley working with Republican President George H.W. Bush; then we had Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich and Democratic President Clinton finding a way to balance the budget; Democratic Speaker Tip O’Neill and Republican President Reagan had a legendary personal friendship that transcended their political differences.

What we witnessed Tuesday night was a shattered relationship that looks to me to be beyond repair.

Republican Donald Trump walked to the podium in the House chamber to deliver his State of the Union speech. He handed Speaker Nancy Pelosi a copy of his text; Pelosi extended her hand, but Trump refused to shake it. Then at the end of the speech, Pelosi stood up and tore up the text.

Those two acts embody the government dysfunction at its worst.

I get that Pelosi led the House impeachment effort against Trump. Then again, Gingrich did the same thing with Clinton; Newt led the GOP charge against the president, fought like the dickens to get him tossed, but the two of them managed to find a way to work on legislating and governing.

These days? I’m beginning to fear our government might be bleeding from a mortal wound.