Paths to Polarization

We are polarized in America along political lines. People who identify as Republicans and Democrats disagree on just about every issue. To get a sense of just how polarized the nation is, consider this graphic from a report issued by the Pew Research Center in early 2019. The graphic shows what Republicans and Democrats think are important priorities for the country. There is almost no agreement. The only issue that people who identify as Republicans and people who identify as Democrat agree on is jobs. By contrast, in 1999, Republicans and Democrats both had education, crime, health care, and social security as top…