Face looks too pale for a spotted owl. Lacks the white x. Also habitat…seeing one in a residential area means almost certainly a barred. You’re seeing its back which can look pretty spotted on a barred owl.

Very superb visitor :)

There’s no simple answer to your question, just like there’s no quick solution to the problem of inequality. But one premise you’ve mentioned isn’t quite correct. The democratic party hasn’t really been “ruling” for most of that time. They’ve controlled the presidency, yes. But for all except 2 years, they haven’t controlled Congress (it’s been either divided or republican controlled), and they haven’t controlled the supreme court. That said, a lot of Democrats are still happy to push the status quo, and there’s plenty of warranted criticism to go around.