Many of the undertakings that happen at the state level require a functioning federal government for them to go anywhere. We do not have a functioning federal government, so here we are.
Our federal government works shockingly well for its size and scope. Dealing with the State Dept to replace a passport at the last minute was one of the best customer service experiences I've had in years.
The parts that are not functioning are the legislature and executive branch.
You're right. It would've been more correct for me to say the part that works well is employed and non-political, while the dysfunctional part is composed of mostly elected officials and their appointees.
The parts that are not functioning are the legislature and executive branch.