Does the fate of America as a nation lie ultimately on its voters or its elected leaders?

Or is it like the question “Which comes first the chicken or the egg?” where the answer is always elusive and maybe non-existent. Maybe the question should be “Which should come first?”

Curious as to a definitive answer for the sake of moving the country forward into the future where ever increasingly complicated challenges await ( flow of immigration, infrastructure rebuilding, job creation, population trends, climate change, global trade, poverty, education etc. ) where does the responsibility truly rests?

Should voters drop support from candidates who are willing to compromise to move things forward and replace them with ones who would never cut a deal? Paralyze the goverment?

Has it all come down to a take all or nothing fight?