To a lot of non-US citizens, the population appears to be more divided than ever. There seems to be a fundamental lack of respect for people with different political views, and the rethoric is often hateful and demeaning.
Is this a reflection of reality, or is it a social media effect? Do americans really despise each other this much? Will whoever wins your next election be able to unify your people, or is this the beginning of a downward spiral?
As a side question, are there any good (relatively factual) sources to understanding your political climate?
chance of civil war = yes
do we despise each other?
That is more complicated;
REAL right wing conservatives are about 10% of the population BUT they have a LOT of power; the republican party, hate radio, fox news, breitbart, pjmedia, the blaze.....and THEY DESPISE EVERYONE;
liberals, gays, atheists, muslims, democrats, rinos, decent republicans, moderates, rational people,
the only people they do NOT despise are KKK, Neo Nais, Nazis, white supremacists
meanwhile;
Another 20-30% of the population are NOT "right wing" but are decidedly conservative and are being frightened by the fear mongering of the VAST RIGHT CONSERVATIVE complex into "FEARING" everyone esle....... but I don't believe they actually DESPISE them.
meanwhile;
@5% of the population are LEFTWING and, not actually knowing any, I assume THEY despise RIGHTWINGERS and CONSERVATIVES but I don't know who else they despise
meanwhile;
@25-30% of the population are Liberal and I'm sure THEY DESPISE right wingers and conservatives but not anyone else...
meanwhile;
every body else is a moderate and we DESPISE those on the Left AND Right who can't behave like civilized human beings and keep threatening violence and mayhem......