New York (CNN) -- Today's bipartisan health care meeting is being called a summit, a term that brings to mind diplomatic missions during wartime. That's a fitting description for the atmosphere in Washington. Political opponents are considered enemies. Health care is just the latest example of government dysfunction; it's been derailed by hyper-partisanship, over-spending and the disproportionate influence of special interests. Independent voters, the largest and fastest growing segment of the electorate, hold the balance of power in American politics, but they have once again been shut out of the debate. The professional partisans in Washington ignore them at their peril.
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John Avlon says health care summit comes amid a period of bipartisan dysfunction in government
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Historically, frustrated independent voters increase in this climate, hold balance of power, he says
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Let down by bipartisan gridlock, stalled agenda, faltering economy, independents have broken with Obama
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Avlon: Health care meeting is chance for parties to show independents they can change
@placeholder' sense that government is broken didn't happen overnight, and it won't be solved overnight.