Causes.com
| 4.4.24
How Divided Are Americans Going into the 2024 Election?
Will the divide among Americans impact your vote this year?
The American divide
- The American public is deeply divided on the political front, causing heightened tension around new policies, Supreme Court cases, elections, and more. Despite the deep political polarization, a new poll found that U.S. adults still share core values about what it means to be an American, constitutional rights, and more.
- The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research's poll revealed that Americans are far more likely to agree on their central beliefs than many may think. For instance, around 90% of respondents said everyone's right to equal protection under the law, the right to vote, freedom of speech, and the right to privacy are extremely or very important to the U.S.'s identity.
- The results found only a slight variance between Republican and Democrat responses, not including a question about the right to bear arms.
- Observers found these findings to be striking, as they come at a time of extreme partisanship and a heightened potential for violence during election seasons, as found in an additional poll.
Dissatisfaction with democracy
- The AP assessment discovered that only 30% of Americans believe the nation's democracy is functioning well. Half of respondents said the country's democracy is poorly functioning, while 14% said the U.S. is not a democracy at all. Experts say this response, highlighting many Americans' dissatisfaction with the government, is not a surprise.
- John Hopkins political scientist Professor Lilliana Mason said that these results emphasize how most Americans share moderate political beliefs, but have been influenced to despise the other party for being culturally, racially, and regionally different.
Generational divide
- The poll found divisions among different age groups. Most notably, Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 are less likely than those 60 and older to say the U.S. is a well-functioning democracy. Younger participants were also less likely to say some characteristics are essential to America, including having a democratically elected government.
- Another political scientist, Professor Howard Lavine of the University of Minnesota, said the generational split is understandable and to be expected. Lavine noted that this may be a result of young voters having only experienced presidential elections involving Donald Trump, and being unable to recall a time when political views did not dictate personal relationships.
Resorting to violence
- An additional poll done by PBS NewsHour, NPR, and Marist poll found that one in five U.S. adults believe that polarization in America is so bad that the country may have to resort to violence to solve domestic division.
- Republicans were slightly more likely than Democrats or independents to say that violence may be the solution to the divide. In total, 28% of Republican respondents agreed with this claim.
- Experts say this belief puts the nation in "an incredibly dangerous place" leading up to the 2024 presidential election.
(Image Credit: PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist Poll)
- Former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Barbara McQuade, underscored how this may be a result of Trump's recent reelection campaign strategies of "convincing people the country is going downhill, that things are awful and only he can fix them." McQuade added that authoritarians across history have used these tactics to conjure fear and manipulate people's emotions. She said that "to some extent, these strategies are working" and that "we need strong voices pushing back."
Will the divide among Americans impact your vote this year?
-Jamie Epstein
The Latest
-
Women Are Shaping This Election — Why Is the Media Missing It?As we reflect on the media coverage of this election season, it’s clear that mainstream outlets have zeroed in on the usual read more... Elections
-
Your Share of the National Debt is ... $105,000The big picture: The U.S. federal deficit for fiscal year 2024 hit a staggering $1.8 trillion, according to the Congressional read more... Deficits & Debt
-
Election News: Second Trump Assassination Attempt, and Poll UpdatesElection Day is 6 weeks away. Here's what's going on in the polls and the presidential candidates' campaigns. September 24 , read more... Congress Shenanigans
-
More Women Face Pregnancy-Related Charges After Roe’s Fall, Report FindsWhat’s the story? A report released by Pregnancy Justice, a women's health advocacy group, found that women have been read more... Advocacy
I believe the two parties and their media sources have done a bang-up job of "divide and conquer." It used to be we differed in options about how government should work. We talked to each other. We held elections & then, moved on.
Now, we live in two different Americas. Different sets of facts...or "alternative" facts. Different media sources. Angry verbiage spouted on social platforms, COVID lockdowns, and the normalization of disrespect have all contributed to our two camps.
While we're all spinning about tRump or the woke libs, our rights are being flushed down the toilet, the rich are getting richer...the middle class is shrinking, and those making decisions in Washington are out of touch with the lives of those they're supposed to represent. .
I think we're more alike than different. I think our problems & joys are similar. I believe this is a wake up call for us. We can either save ourselves & Democracy, or continue on the path of destruction.
The divide among Americans will impact my vote in that I will make triple sure that I vote day 1 minute 1 of early voting for Democrats all the way down the ticket. Republicans have shown that they are incapable and uninterested in doing anything to benefit the American public. They are only interested in grandstanding, holding fake hearings, pointing fingers and riling up their base to do violence. I will oppose that at every turn, vote early for those supporting the American people and democracy and encourage all my friends to do the same.
Disbarred John Eastman wants to keep practicing law, representing Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Green! LOL!!!!!!!!!
A disbarred dirtbag fighting to represent two other dirtbags. The Republican party has become a complete and utter pathetic joke.
Basically no. The major factor that impacts my vote is keeping the fascist Trump out of the WH. For some strange reason I don't think it's in anyones best interest to kill our democracy.
While the country is divided, the division that should not be ignored is the near 50% who don’t vote at all. They don’t follow politics. They don’t watch the news. The average iq in America is 100, meaning 50% are below that level. This is why when speaking to masses of people, it should be done at a 5th grade level. T has used this “plain talk” to his advantage.
Democrats have done very poorly on messaging and imho it needs to change. They often go for detailed facts, which is good for those of us who are into details (like most of us here) but we aren’t the norm. Because is that working? Ever heard someone reply, whose facts? Did you have a productive debate doing that? Time to change tactics and take a page from the gop. They have taken a broad brush to paint dems as the bad/evil people. So, our messaging needs to be much more high level and plain speaking. Such as:
I know you put your faith in T, but he has betrayed you. You thought he was going to be for you and helping you, but he was really for TikTok and tax cuts to the rich.
Democrats are the party of Freedom:
* Gop wants to come between you and your dr
* Gop wants to come between you and your constitutional rights
* Gop wants to come between you and your social security
* Gop wants to come between you and your healthcare
* Gop wants to come between you and your vote
* Gop wants to come between you and your civil liberties
* Gop wants to come between you and your national security
* Gop wants to come between you and your children’s killers
Take back your freedom: vote D for democracy
Are we as polarized as we are being told we are? Or are emotions being polarized for political purpose? Our political process has become more polarized but have we people as well?
Surveys on polarization find it’s our opinions on political parties but not necessarily our underlying values though there is a distinct difference in lifestyle choices like 75% of conservatives prefer large houses further away from each other and amenities in communities sharing their religious values while 77% of liberals prefer smaller houses, closer to amenities with ethnically diverse communities.
And there are less of much needed centrists to maintain balance.
It’s also our choices in information sources as we prefer to read articles that confirm our preconceived ideas and biases.
A comprehensive review of 10 years of research says we aren't as divided as we are being told.
While we aren’t able to control the political process by replacing primaries with rank choice voting we can try to widen our reading to include well balanced sources and not those just supporting our biases. We need to get back to having more centrists.
"A comprehensive review of a decade of research on polarization in the U.S. challenges a widely accepted “truth” that Americans are almost irretrievably divided."
"Americans have much more in common than they do with divisive candidates and positions currently favored by party leaders."
“American citizens are not necessarily issue-polarized so much as they are socially or affectively polarized, meaning that they are increasingly hostile to those in the other political party. Research supports this hypothesis with findings that Americans endorse more and more negative stereotypes about those in the other party”
“identifying with a group often comes with a preference for individuals in that group and, sadly, a more negative view of those outside the group.”
"understanding this dynamic can point the way out of unproductive, anti-democratic behavior."
"Political operatives know how to get under your skin. Bad actors — often those in leadership positions — feed on emotions to make you feel isolated, alienated and somehow at enmity with people who are otherwise pretty much like you."
"Rachel Kleinfeld...co-founder and past director of the Truman National Security Project...now senior fellow in Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict and Governance Program...Carnegie has just published a paper from Kleinfeld, Polarization, Democracy, and Political Violence in the United States: What the Research Says....Americans are not as ideologically polarized as they believe themselves to be,” she finds, but emotions are being polarized for political purposes, leading to new levels of threats against state and local officials."
"There's a lot of overlap in what Americans from both parties think, although they differ in intensity....The real difference in viewpoints is in who we elect as leaders. Party leaders have almost no issues in common. That's making it very difficult to govern."
"Party leaders have been selecting more extreme candidates for some time now — Democrats by maybe two to one and Republicans by a 13 to one margin, according to one study. Party leadership is playing a big role in how extreme our candidates are getting ideologically."
“a year-long study of polarization, the Pew Research Center has conducted the largest political surveyin its history – a poll of more than 10,000 adults between January and March of this year. It finds that Republicans and Democrats are further apart ideologically than at any point in recent history. Growing numbers of Republicans and Democrats express highly negative views of the opposing party. “
“The share of Americans who express consistently conservative or consistently liberal opinions has doubled over the past two decades, from 10% to 21%. As a result, the amount of ideological overlap between the two parties has diminished.”
“The share of Republicans who have very unfavorable opinions of the Democratic Party has jumped from 17% to 43% in the last 20 years. Similarly, the share of Democrats with very negative opinions of the Republican Party also has more than doubled, from 16% to 38%. But these numbers tell only part of the story. Among Republicans and Democrats who have a very unfavorable impression of the other party, the vast majority say the opposing party’s policies represent a threat to the nation’s well-being.”
“Three-quarters of consistent conservatives say they would opt to live in a community where “the houses are larger and farther apart, but schools, stores and restaurants are several miles away,” while 77% of consistent liberals prefer smaller houses closer to amenities. Nearly four times as many liberals as conservatives say it is important that their community has racial and ethnic diversity; about three times as many conservatives as liberals say it is important that many in the community share their religious faith.”
“Scholars and political observers generally agree on three key points about polarization. First, the U.S. Congress is more polarized ideologically than it was a generation ago: The ideological overlap between the parties has all but disappeared, and the rise of “safe” districts with partisan supermajorities has tended to push politicians away from the center. Second, while activists in both parties have long been polar opposites, the ideological gap between them has widened in recent decades. And third, with declining regulation of the media, mass media outlets have become more numerous, diverse and politicized. All three phenomena, moreover, are mutually reinforcing.”
"Some of us are looking at things like getting rid of primaries and having ranked-choice voting, the way they've done it in Alaska, to create incentives for people to run in a less extreme way. Other academics are looking at things like proportional representation to try to get extremes out of politics."
"we need our politicians to speak against violence, against threats and to speak for the basic functioning of our democracy, such as our elections being valid."
"In places where you have a good, trusted media source like the BBC [in the U.K.], or strong local media, social media has been a positive force. Most people don't pay much attention to news on it. They just want to get in touch with their friends"
"In America, we have a very unhealthy media landscape. We have no trusted media of record, and our local media has been dying. Social media plays an echo chamber role in an environment of vitriolic cable TV and radio talk shows, but it's not acting alone."
"Newspapers, and media in general, tend to think that “if it bleeds, it leads.” They look for polarizing stories. They report on the horse race of politics, and they say that that's what people click on. The Solutions Journalism Network has found quite the opposite — if you offer people better quality news, more complex stories, people like it. It's just that they're not being offered it."
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-great-divide-polarization-in-american-politics/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thinking-socially/202310/political-polarization-in-the-us-0
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2014/06/12/7-things-to-know-about-polarization-in-america/
https://www.governing.com/politics/is-american-polarization-a-reality-or-a-political-strategy
Billionaire John Paulson Explains Why He’s Raising $43 Million for Trump
answer
greed myopia stupidity
Now that the stupid political parties have scared off everyone from running on the No Labels ticket, we are doomed to re-enact Trump versus Biden. I'm so disappointed we couldn't come up with anyone better that I'm considering not voting at all for the first time in my life.
Any Topics ON VOTING?
I mean, it's been a bit of a busy week! Some medical, some OTHER!
MONDAY... Primary physician requested a preventative CT Chest Scan, so did it!
WEDNESDAY... Also time for that 5 year preventative colonoscopy, so met doctor and scheduled!! Woo Hoo! In January!👍
TODAY...THURSDAY...
I VOTED!!!
Big one down here, Colin Allred!
FU cruz!
AND 4 BOOK BANNERS here amongst our Conroe Independent School District Trustees. You know like ...
Nichol May
Lindsay Dawson
Mellisa Semmler
Mariannla Horton
... oops, am I exposing Repuglican't idiots??
Voted Blue Up And Down Ballot (though MANY positions down here have NO challengers, Dem or otherwise, therefore NO NEED FOR ME to even give these abbortt, patrick, paxton thingy lickers, etc., my vote!
For all!
#VoteBlue2024
#VoteBlueUpandDown
I will not vote for a rapist and Murderer like Trump is. plus he had to payoff hookers in 2016. Who fixed the election Trump did.
We need to keep our fists firm against anyone who discourages the average American to vote. We are Americans and this is America. The values that the US stands for is among each and every one of us and it's pitiful against the opposers who still believe that dividing ethnic minorities is even considered a solution.
I will not be impacted by the division.
I ran across this interesting article in Pyschology Today and though it is long it does help explain the magnet that pulls together the likemindedness of certain individuals or group.
Verified by Psychology Today
Bobby Azarian Ph.D.
Mind In The Machine
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
An Analysis of Trump Supporters Has Identified 5 Key Traits
A new report sheds light on the psychological basis for Trump's support.
KEY POINTS
The lightning-fast ascent and political invincibility of Donald Trump has left many experts baffled and wondering, “How did we get here?” Any accurate and sufficient answer to that question must not only focus on Trump himself, but also on his uniquely loyal supporters. Given their extreme devotion and unwavering admiration for their highly unpredictable and often inflammatory leader, some have turned to the field of psychology for scientific explanations based on precise quantitative data and established theoretical frameworks.
Although analyses and studies by psychologists and neuroscientists have provided many thought-provoking explanations for his enduring support, the accounts of different experts often vary greatly, sometimes overlapping and other times conflicting. However insightful these critiques may be, it is apparent that more research and examination is needed to hone in on the exact psychological and social factors underlying this peculiar human behavior.
In a recent review paper published in the Journal of Social and Political Psychology, Psychologist and UC Santa Cruz professor Thomas Pettigrew argues that five major psychological phenomena can help explain this exceptional political event.
1. Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism refers to the advocacy or enforcement of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom and is commonly associated with a lack of concern for the opinions or needs of others. Authoritarian personality syndrome—a well-studied and globally-prevalent condition—is a state of mind that is characterized by belief in total and complete obedience to one’s authority. Those with the syndrome often display aggression toward outgroup members, submissiveness to authority, resistance to new experiences, and a rigid hierarchical view of society. The syndrome is often triggered by fear, making it easy for leaders who exaggerate threat or fear monger to gain their allegiance.
Although authoritarian personality is found among liberals, it is more common among the right-wing around the world. President Trump’s speeches, which include absolutist terms like “losers” and “complete disasters,” are naturally appealing to those who prefer authoritarianism.
2. Social dominance orientation
Social dominance orientation (SDO)—which is distinct but related to authoritarian personality syndrome—refers to people who have a preference for the societal hierarchy of groups, specifically with a structure in which the high-status groups have dominance over the low-status ones. Those with SDO are typically dominant, tough-minded, and driven by self-interest.
In Trump’s speeches, he appeals to those with SDO by repeatedly making a clear distinction between groups that have a generally higher status in society (White), and those groups that are typically thought of as belonging to a lower status (immigrants and minorities).
3. Prejudice
It would be grossly unfair and inaccurate to say that every one of Trump’s supporters has a prejudice against ethnic and religious minorities, but it would be equally inaccurate to say that some do not. It is a well-known fact that the Republican party, going at least as far back to Richard Nixon’s “Southern strategy,” used strategies that appealed to bigotry, such as by delivering speeches with “dog whistles”—code words that signaled prejudice toward minorities that were designed to be heard by racists but no one else.
While the dog whistles of the past were more subtle, Trump’s are sometimes shockingly direct. There’s no denying that he routinely appeals to bigoted supporters when he calls Muslims “dangerous” and Mexican immigrants' “rapists” and “murderers,” often in a blanketed fashion. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a new study has shown that support for Trump is correlated with a standard scale of modern racism.
4. Intergroup contact
Intergroup contact refers to contact with members of groups that are outside one’s own, which has been experimentally shown to reduce prejudice. As such, it’s important to note that there is growing evidence that Trump’s white supporters have experienced significantly less contact with minorities than other Americans.
5. Relative deprivation
Relative deprivation refers to the experience of being deprived of something to which one believes they are entitled. It is the discontent felt when one compares their position in life to others who they feel are equal or inferior but have unfairly had more success than them.
Common explanations for Trump’s popularity among non-bigoted voters involve economics. There is no doubt that some Trump supporters are simply angry that American jobs are being lost to Mexico and China, which is certainly understandable, although these loyalists often ignore the fact that some of these careers may be lost due to the accelerating pace of automation.
These Trump supporters are experiencing relative deprivation, and are common among the swing states like Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. This kind of deprivation is specifically referred to as “relative,” as opposed to “absolute,” because the feeling is often based on a skewed perception of what one is entitled to. For example, an analysis conducted by FiveThirtyEight estimated that the median annual income of Trump supporters was $72,000.
If such data is accurate, the portrayal of most Trump supporters as working-class citizens rebelling against Republican elites may not be fully accurate.
A house divided cannot stand. We could not be more divided, well we could but I hope it does not happen in my lifetime.
Where is “America the Beautiful?” It is being trampled by dissension from all directions.
What exactly is the “United States” anymore? It’s like we have two gangs leading us not decent, law abiding, fair and impartial role models. And we want the actions of our so-called leaders to teach our children to be like more “what?”
If the over 500 leaders of the Legislative Branch cannot make decisions that benefit the people and when the Judicial Branch either gives the nod or sends it back for revision then how will anything move forward impartially. Who is the captain of all of this chaos and why cannot we remove those who are creating the chaos? Too many selfish hands in the pot.
What can “we the people” do to bring about change? Don’t say vote because that has already become sullied by traitors. IF we throw out the electoral vote and let every vote count, will we have the possibility for reconciliation? And then could we have more than 2 candidates for the presidency instead of party representatives. Could we throw out political party affiliations altogether? They have strayed so far beyond the original intent. Everyone has an opinion and opinions influence more than following a ruling standard.
KRumpers need to take off their blinders and see what a narcissistic psychopath they have attempting to sway them in an unnatural, unpatriotic, and self-serving direction. What comes out of his mouth one minute if you wait most likely if not received well will change the next. If anarchy is the outcome, then another Civil War may ensue which would weaken our global position which is what other world leaders may be supporting.
So many questions...
I am not surprised to see the GOP Supreme Court allow bribery as there are so many GOP politician that are now or soon to be under indictment and bribery will be the corrupt avenue of choice to escape court appearances. I am also not surprised to see the GOP trying to cut federal enforcement funding cause so many GOP politicians are under federal indictment. Shameful for me once being a dependable voter my whole life. The CONSERVATIVE GOP party is dead as is our law and order society. Funny thing about the GOP Supreme Court is the justices that support bribery are the same who have receive huge "gifts". I am also surprised my spell check automatically capitalizes Supreme Court. Oh and to stay on topic this time, this is a lot of the reason the sentiment in the country is so divided.
It does not surprise me that the GOP Supreme Court has permitted bribery since so many of the Supreme Court justices have in fact received what appears to be many huge such gifts and so many GOP politicians are under indictment right now or soon and bribery is the avenue they will use to escape going to court. It is the same reason the GOP is cutting federal enforcement funding, cause so many GOP politicians are under federal indictment or soon to be. Slowing the pursuit of GOP criminals seems to be standard operating procedure for the GOP now. To me it's shameful since I come f
It would be hard pressed to support a group that advocates for infanticide, rape, murder, destruction of property, ruining women's sports, and racial discrimination. I guess I would rather vote for the tweeting asshat that was there before all of this happened.
I'll never vote for crooked Republican Party. They were elected for the people by the people. They just kiss trumps ass and do whatever he says. They do nothing for the American people. Republicans don't run for office if you're working for crooked ex presidents. Sad very sad.
Neither candidate is young enough or healthy enough to lead our generation into a propserous future.
No I'll never vote for crooked republicans. Get rid of Supreme Court very crooked
Republicans are greedy, hate filled garbage and I won't vote for anyone with an R next to their name
Looser Moscow Marjorie Taylor Greene and communist leader Steve Bannon claims Russia is the protestor of Christianity and not attacking Christian? I think both get the information straight form the horse a--, Putin?
Unfortunately it's true, but Mike Johnson doesn't have enough hands for all the republicans party !!!!
The double standards republicans have with Ukraine and Israel, one is Christian nation and the other is a Jewish nation, why the double standard?
This would be bad for capitalism, free markets and human rights, if Trump should win the presidency, but some don't care. They need to go to Russia, North Korea, Iran and China.
Well when you have people that don't talk to each other, but over each other and neither don't listen. The civility and respect is thrown out the window. We have the tea party, Trump they didn't start it but they did normalize and promote, plus took vantage of the division. The problem I have is why? Is it Fed by corporations, wealthy, rich, power, control, ego and it's not about fair or humanity or social justice!
Another Republican escaped jail time !!!!
Nevada has a major problem with voter fraud! Republicans are hot on the trail.