The Rise of Polarization in American Politics

[auditor0007]

This is a really great article that thoroughly discusses how the American political climate has changed over the past thirty years and how it has led to what many believe is the greatest polarization in the history of American politics.

Rise of polarization

Were we to chart on a graph the rise in polarization in Washington, it would correlate with the broadcast changes that began with Downey. Consider that every year for the last three decades, the National Journal has been tracking the ideological leanings of Congress. That analysis suggests we are at an all-time high for polarization.

In 2014, and for the fourth straight year, every Senate Republican was more conservative than every Senate Democrat, and every Senate Democrat was more liberal than every Senate Republican. (The House is similarly divided.) Resist any temptation to think it has always been like this. According to the Journal, in 1982, on Ronald Reagan's watch, "58 senators and 344 House members had voting records that put them between the most liberal Republican and the most conservative Democrat."

There were so many Republican Senate moderates during Reagan's time in the White House that they had their own weekly gathering, the Wednesday Lunch Club. Members included Alan Simpson, Ted Stevens, Nancy Kassebaum, John Heinz, Arlen Specter, Bob Packwood and Bob Dole. Today there would be no members showing up for lunch.

Here's another barometer of change in the last 30 years: According to tabulations from Congressional Quarterly, as late as the 1970s, the typical member of one party voted with his colleagues just over 60% of the time. Those numbers have risen every decade. In 2010, Democrats voted together 91% of the time, and Republicans 89% of the time.

Unfortunately, those able to reverse these trends have ceded the debate to the loudest voices. A Gallup survey released in January found that more Americans regard themselves as independent (43%) than Democrat (30%) or Republican (26%). But any ground gained by the nonpartisan ranks continues to be offset by higher political interest resting at the political extremes. It's all about passion. As documented by Pew Research Center this past spring, liberals and conservativesexceed moderates and independents in their level of political interest, which translates into voter participation.

Read the entire article here: Morton Downey He drove us into our national ditch - CNN.com

As for the polarization, it can be best seen right here at USMB. Outside of a very limited number of posters, USMB is filled with absolute partisan ideologues.

 

[TheOldSchool]

The parties have always been at each others throats. We are nothing special.

 

[Nyvin]

Pretty much, just have to wait a few years for the older conservatives to die out and then we can just steamroll all their ideology out of the country. It's the only viable solution.

 

[LoneLaugher]

This is a really great article that thoroughly discusses how the American political climate has changed over the past thirty years and how it has led to what many believe is the greatest polarization in the history of American politics.

Rise of polarization

Were we to chart on a graph the rise in polarization in Washington, it would correlate with the broadcast changes that began with Downey. Consider that every year for the last three decades, the National Journal has been tracking the ideological leanings of Congress. That analysis suggests we are at an all-time high for polarization.

In 2014, and for the fourth straight year, every Senate Republican was more conservative than every Senate Democrat, and every Senate Democrat was more liberal than every Senate Republican. (The House is similarly divided.) Resist any temptation to think it has always been like this. According to the Journal, in 1982, on Ronald Reagan's watch, "58 senators and 344 House members had voting records that put them between the most liberal Republican and the most conservative Democrat."

There were so many Republican Senate moderates during Reagan's time in the White House that they had their own weekly gathering, the Wednesday Lunch Club. Members included Alan Simpson, Ted Stevens, Nancy Kassebaum, John Heinz, Arlen Specter, Bob Packwood and Bob Dole. Today there would be no members showing up for lunch.

Here's another barometer of change in the last 30 years: According to tabulations from Congressional Quarterly, as late as the 1970s, the typical member of one party voted with his colleagues just over 60% of the time. Those numbers have risen every decade. In 2010, Democrats voted together 91% of the time, and Republicans 89% of the time.

Unfortunately, those able to reverse these trends have ceded the debate to the loudest voices. A Gallup survey released in January found that more Americans regard themselves as independent (43%) than Democrat (30%) or Republican (26%). But any ground gained by the nonpartisan ranks continues to be offset by higher political interest resting at the political extremes. It's all about passion. As documented by Pew Research Center this past spring, liberals and conservativesexceed moderates and independents in their level of political interest, which translates into voter participation.

Read the entire article here: Morton Downey He drove us into our national ditch - CNN.com

As for the polarization, it can be best seen right here at USMB. Outside of a very limited number of posters, USMB is filled with absolute partisan ideologues.

The author has a radio show on SIRIUS/XM. He's a former HW Bush campaign aide and a former Republican. Good show.

 

[Pogo]

This is a really great article that thoroughly discusses how the American political climate has changed over the past thirty years and how it has led to what many believe is the greatest polarization in the history of American politics.

Rise of polarization

Were we to chart on a graph the rise in polarization in Washington, it would correlate with the broadcast changes that began with Downey. Consider that every year for the last three decades, the National Journal has been tracking the ideological leanings of Congress. That analysis suggests we are at an all-time high for polarization.

In 2014, and for the fourth straight year, every Senate Republican was more conservative than every Senate Democrat, and every Senate Democrat was more liberal than every Senate Republican. (The House is similarly divided.) Resist any temptation to think it has always been like this. According to the Journal, in 1982, on Ronald Reagan's watch, "58 senators and 344 House members had voting records that put them between the most liberal Republican and the most conservative Democrat."

There were so many Republican Senate moderates during Reagan's time in the White House that they had their own weekly gathering, the Wednesday Lunch Club. Members included Alan Simpson, Ted Stevens, Nancy Kassebaum, John Heinz, Arlen Specter, Bob Packwood and Bob Dole. Today there would be no members showing up for lunch.

Here's another barometer of change in the last 30 years: According to tabulations from Congressional Quarterly, as late as the 1970s, the typical member of one party voted with his colleagues just over 60% of the time. Those numbers have risen every decade. In 2010, Democrats voted together 91% of the time, and Republicans 89% of the time.

Unfortunately, those able to reverse these trends have ceded the debate to the loudest voices. A Gallup survey released in January found that more Americans regard themselves as independent (43%) than Democrat (30%) or Republican (26%). But any ground gained by the nonpartisan ranks continues to be offset by higher political interest resting at the political extremes. It's all about passion. As documented by Pew Research Center this past spring, liberals and conservativesexceed moderates and independents in their level of political interest, which translates into voter participation.

Read the entire article here: Morton Downey He drove us into our national ditch - CNN.com

As for the polarization, it can be best seen right here at USMB. Outside of a very limited number of posters, USMB is filled with absolute partisan ideologues.

Nice background. I never saw Downey or heard of him in the time but obviously Lash Rimbag was taking notes. These goons sell for the same reason WWE and Maury Povich sell. The unwashed aren't interested in thought (see sigline), they just want bite-sized dumb-down drama. Preferably quickly enough that it doesn't impinge on their order of fries.

"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public".

 

[CrusaderFrank]

There was a time when Ginsberg and Scalia each got over 90 Senate votes.

Ted Kennedy's attack on Thomas was the Pearl Harbor of the Parties not playing together anymore

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

Pretty much, just have to wait a few years for the older conservatives to die out and then we can just steamroll all their ideology out of the country. It's the only viable solution.

Right. And replace them with the younger ultra-conservatives who call themselves liberal democrats.

 

[Roadrunner]

This is a really great article that thoroughly discusses how the American political climate has changed over the past thirty years and how it has led to what many believe is the greatest polarization in the history of American politics.

Rise of polarization

Were we to chart on a graph the rise in polarization in Washington, it would correlate with the broadcast changes that began with Downey. Consider that every year for the last three decades, the National Journal has been tracking the ideological leanings of Congress. That analysis suggests we are at an all-time high for polarization.

In 2014, and for the fourth straight year, every Senate Republican was more conservative than every Senate Democrat, and every Senate Democrat was more liberal than every Senate Republican. (The House is similarly divided.) Resist any temptation to think it has always been like this. According to the Journal, in 1982, on Ronald Reagan's watch, "58 senators and 344 House members had voting records that put them between the most liberal Republican and the most conservative Democrat."

There were so many Republican Senate moderates during Reagan's time in the White House that they had their own weekly gathering, the Wednesday Lunch Club. Members included Alan Simpson, Ted Stevens, Nancy Kassebaum, John Heinz, Arlen Specter, Bob Packwood and Bob Dole. Today there would be no members showing up for lunch.

Here's another barometer of change in the last 30 years: According to tabulations from Congressional Quarterly, as late as the 1970s, the typical member of one party voted with his colleagues just over 60% of the time. Those numbers have risen every decade. In 2010, Democrats voted together 91% of the time, and Republicans 89% of the time.

Unfortunately, those able to reverse these trends have ceded the debate to the loudest voices. A Gallup survey released in January found that more Americans regard themselves as independent (43%) than Democrat (30%) or Republican (26%). But any ground gained by the nonpartisan ranks continues to be offset by higher political interest resting at the political extremes. It's all about passion. As documented by Pew Research Center this past spring, liberals and conservativesexceed moderates and independents in their level of political interest, which translates into voter participation.

Read the entire article here: Morton Downey He drove us into our national ditch - CNN.com

As for the polarization, it can be best seen right here at USMB. Outside of a very limited number of posters, USMB is filled with absolute partisan ideologues.

This country has been polarized since Shay's Rebellion.

 

[Roadrunner]

This is a really great article that thoroughly discusses how the American political climate has changed over the past thirty years and how it has led to what many believe is the greatest polarization in the history of American politics.

Rise of polarization

Were we to chart on a graph the rise in polarization in Washington, it would correlate with the broadcast changes that began with Downey. Consider that every year for the last three decades, the National Journal has been tracking the ideological leanings of Congress. That analysis suggests we are at an all-time high for polarization.

In 2014, and for the fourth straight year, every Senate Republican was more conservative than every Senate Democrat, and every Senate Democrat was more liberal than every Senate Republican. (The House is similarly divided.) Resist any temptation to think it has always been like this. According to the Journal, in 1982, on Ronald Reagan's watch, "58 senators and 344 House members had voting records that put them between the most liberal Republican and the most conservative Democrat."

There were so many Republican Senate moderates during Reagan's time in the White House that they had their own weekly gathering, the Wednesday Lunch Club. Members included Alan Simpson, Ted Stevens, Nancy Kassebaum, John Heinz, Arlen Specter, Bob Packwood and Bob Dole. Today there would be no members showing up for lunch.

Here's another barometer of change in the last 30 years: According to tabulations from Congressional Quarterly, as late as the 1970s, the typical member of one party voted with his colleagues just over 60% of the time. Those numbers have risen every decade. In 2010, Democrats voted together 91% of the time, and Republicans 89% of the time.

Unfortunately, those able to reverse these trends have ceded the debate to the loudest voices. A Gallup survey released in January found that more Americans regard themselves as independent (43%) than Democrat (30%) or Republican (26%). But any ground gained by the nonpartisan ranks continues to be offset by higher political interest resting at the political extremes. It's all about passion. As documented by Pew Research Center this past spring, liberals and conservativesexceed moderates and independents in their level of political interest, which translates into voter participation.

Read the entire article here: Morton Downey He drove us into our national ditch - CNN.com

As for the polarization, it can be best seen right here at USMB. Outside of a very limited number of posters, USMB is filled with absolute partisan ideologues.

Nice background. I never saw Downey or heard of him in the time but obviously Lash Rimbag was taking notes. These goons sell for the same reason WWE and Maury Povich sell. The unwashed aren't interested in thought (see sigline), they just want bite-sized dumb-down drama. Preferably quickly enough that it doesn't impinge on their order of fries.

"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public".

Remove any and all reference to party on ballots, and the unwashed low-information voters would stay home by the millions!

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

This is a really great article that thoroughly discusses how the American political climate has changed over the past thirty years and how it has led to what many believe is the greatest polarization in the history of American politics.

Rise of polarization

Were we to chart on a graph the rise in polarization in Washington, it would correlate with the broadcast changes that began with Downey. Consider that every year for the last three decades, the National Journal has been tracking the ideological leanings of Congress. That analysis suggests we are at an all-time high for polarization.

In 2014, and for the fourth straight year, every Senate Republican was more conservative than every Senate Democrat, and every Senate Democrat was more liberal than every Senate Republican. (The House is similarly divided.) Resist any temptation to think it has always been like this. According to the Journal, in 1982, on Ronald Reagan's watch, "58 senators and 344 House members had voting records that put them between the most liberal Republican and the most conservative Democrat."

There were so many Republican Senate moderates during Reagan's time in the White House that they had their own weekly gathering, the Wednesday Lunch Club. Members included Alan Simpson, Ted Stevens, Nancy Kassebaum, John Heinz, Arlen Specter, Bob Packwood and Bob Dole. Today there would be no members showing up for lunch.

Here's another barometer of change in the last 30 years: According to tabulations from Congressional Quarterly, as late as the 1970s, the typical member of one party voted with his colleagues just over 60% of the time. Those numbers have risen every decade. In 2010, Democrats voted together 91% of the time, and Republicans 89% of the time.

Unfortunately, those able to reverse these trends have ceded the debate to the loudest voices. A Gallup survey released in January found that more Americans regard themselves as independent (43%) than Democrat (30%) or Republican (26%). But any ground gained by the nonpartisan ranks continues to be offset by higher political interest resting at the political extremes. It's all about passion. As documented by Pew Research Center this past spring, liberals and conservativesexceed moderates and independents in their level of political interest, which translates into voter participation.

Read the entire article here: Morton Downey He drove us into our national ditch - CNN.com

As for the polarization, it can be best seen right here at USMB. Outside of a very limited number of posters, USMB is filled with absolute partisan ideologues.

Nice background. I never saw Downey or heard of him in the time but obviously Lash Rimbag was taking notes. These goons sell for the same reason WWE and Maury Povich sell. The unwashed aren't interested in thought (see sigline), they just want bite-sized dumb-down drama. Preferably quickly enough that it doesn't impinge on their order of fries.

"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public".

Remove any and all reference to party on ballots, and the unwashed low-information voters would stay home by the millions!

Better yet, change all ballot references of republican and white to democrat and black and you'll see every failing community improve.

 

[Billy_Kinetta]

This was all predicted back in the late 60s. What you hear from the Democrats today matches the same lunatic crap the Leftist counter-culture of the time spouted. Some of those people and/or their supporters are now running the country. There can be no compromise with them.

Find a book titled "The Movement Toward A New America", by Mitchell Goodman (compiler), published in 1970.

 

[HenryBHough]

Please do not confuse Morton Downey, Jr. with Morton Downey.

The younger is sufficiently confused without your assistance.

 

[Pogo]

This is a really great article that thoroughly discusses how the American political climate has changed over the past thirty years and how it has led to what many believe is the greatest polarization in the history of American politics.

Rise of polarization

Were we to chart on a graph the rise in polarization in Washington, it would correlate with the broadcast changes that began with Downey. Consider that every year for the last three decades, the National Journal has been tracking the ideological leanings of Congress. That analysis suggests we are at an all-time high for polarization.

In 2014, and for the fourth straight year, every Senate Republican was more conservative than every Senate Democrat, and every Senate Democrat was more liberal than every Senate Republican. (The House is similarly divided.) Resist any temptation to think it has always been like this. According to the Journal, in 1982, on Ronald Reagan's watch, "58 senators and 344 House members had voting records that put them between the most liberal Republican and the most conservative Democrat."

There were so many Republican Senate moderates during Reagan's time in the White House that they had their own weekly gathering, the Wednesday Lunch Club. Members included Alan Simpson, Ted Stevens, Nancy Kassebaum, John Heinz, Arlen Specter, Bob Packwood and Bob Dole. Today there would be no members showing up for lunch.

Here's another barometer of change in the last 30 years: According to tabulations from Congressional Quarterly, as late as the 1970s, the typical member of one party voted with his colleagues just over 60% of the time. Those numbers have risen every decade. In 2010, Democrats voted together 91% of the time, and Republicans 89% of the time.

Unfortunately, those able to reverse these trends have ceded the debate to the loudest voices. A Gallup survey released in January found that more Americans regard themselves as independent (43%) than Democrat (30%) or Republican (26%). But any ground gained by the nonpartisan ranks continues to be offset by higher political interest resting at the political extremes. It's all about passion. As documented by Pew Research Center this past spring, liberals and conservativesexceed moderates and independents in their level of political interest, which translates into voter participation.

Read the entire article here: Morton Downey He drove us into our national ditch - CNN.com

As for the polarization, it can be best seen right here at USMB. Outside of a very limited number of posters, USMB is filled with absolute partisan ideologues.

Nice background. I never saw Downey or heard of him in the time but obviously Lash Rimbag was taking notes. These goons sell for the same reason WWE and Maury Povich sell. The unwashed aren't interested in thought (see sigline), they just want bite-sized dumb-down drama. Preferably quickly enough that it doesn't impinge on their order of fries.

"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public".

Remove any and all reference to party on ballots, and the unwashed low-information voters would stay home by the millions!

Dunno wtf that has to do with the topic but okay sure. Wipe out political parties altogether.

 

[Pogo]

Please do not confuse Morton Downey, Jr. with Morton Downey.

The younger is sufficiently confused without your assistance.

Which one invented salt? I can never remember.

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

This was all predicted back in the late 60s. What you hear from the Democrats today matches the same crap the Leftist counter-culture of the time spouted. Some of those people and/or their supporters are now running the country. There can be no compromise with them.

Find a book titled "The Movement Toward A New America", by Mirchell Goodman (compiler), published in 1970.

Yep, the counterculture is now the ruling generation and they are applying their outdated 1960's ideals. They dominate academia and, as a result, we see a replay of the period. The new crew call themselves hipsters and are naively misguided.

 

[bedowin62]

the Left ALWAYS overeaches when given power on a national level

the race-baiters and victimhood pimps come out from the cracks

with the usual disastrous consequences for the very people they claim to care about the most; minorities.
it's happening now

 

[Kondor3]

The polarization has always been there.

The difference between today and 30 (or 200) years ago is, I believe, the scope or scale of the polarization.

An unanticipated outcome of the invention of radio and TV and cable and the Internet and smart-phones and tablets and lions and tigers and bears, oh my.

More informed people = more broad-scale intensity of opinion, as well as diversity of opinion.

 

[HenryBHough]

Which one invented salt? I can never remember.

Odd.

Alzheimer's usually preserves memories of things learned in youth....

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

The polarization has always been there.

The difference between today and 30 (or 200) years ago is, I believe, the scope or scale of the polarization.

An unanticipated outcome of the invention of radio and TV and cable and the Internet and smart-phones and tablets and lions and tigers and bears, oh my.

More informed people = more broad-scale intensity of opinion, as well as diversity of opinion.

I disagree with the result. Instead of people being more informed (that would require effort) they are more easily brainwashed and conditioned by the intensity and immediacy of electronic media. Brainwashers on the left have dominated media and have succeeded the most with the brainwashing.

 

[Kondor3]

The polarization has always been there.

The difference between today and 30 (or 200) years ago is, I believe, the scope or scale of the polarization.

An unanticipated outcome of the invention of radio and TV and cable and the Internet and smart-phones and tablets and lions and tigers and bears, oh my.

More informed people = more broad-scale intensity of opinion, as well as diversity of opinion.

I disagree with the result. Instead of people being more informed (that would require effort) they are more easily brainwashed and conditioned by the intensity and immediacy of electronic media. Brainwashers on the left have dominated media and have succeeded the most with the brainwashing.

I suggest we differentiate between (1) those willing to use technology to do their own self-informing vs. (2) sheeple who simply eat what they're fed.

I see things trending towards (1), while you appear to see the residual and modest dominance of (2) as remaining operative over the long haul.