I guess that depends on what you believe a "functioning democracy" because yes we are are "functioning democracy", the fact that the outcome is not what you desire do not mean it is non-functional.

Keeping in mind that a democracy was never the goal, and being a democracy is actually the root of the problem. Looking to the federal government for solutions to all of these problems is the the problem itself.

People expecting the government to fix everything is the problem....

Maybe instead of acting "are we a functioning democracy", the better question is "how can we solve these problems with out government..."