The problem that you have here is that your view that he 'gamed the system' is largely arrived at by biased reasoning, because you disagree with the outcome. To the other side he is an 'excellent strategist' and that's why they elected him/continue to praise him.

Americans don't seem to agree on anything but the fact that the constitution lays out the rules. That's the one thing binding you all together - I had this discussion with Joe Duncan. If you don't like the fact that the rules have arrived you at a place you don't like - the only option left on the table is revolution - there isn't that strong enough feeling (yet).

The tone isn't 'to the victors go the spoils' - the tone is, the rules of democratic process must continue. Challenges can and should be made to this decision, because (to my mind) it's the morally wrong one to make - but those challenges must come from within the system itself, or American will slide inexorably towards a civil war.

I think that's the likely outcome anyway. Trump, the Supreme Court, your financial situation, the failure of the Democrats to make any real progress, the 50/50 lock in the senate - it's all a symptom of an upcoming civil war between the states.

You're always welcome in London when that happens. :o)