Dysfunction begins with the parties

The latest impressive study of Trends in American Values from the Pew Research Center is filled with frightening findings. It sketches a portrait of a country divided less by issues than by partisanship. Moreover, it suggests (my interpretation, not Pew’s) that many of these divisions have not bubbled up from below, not from the people the parties supposedly represent, but rather have been fomented by the parties from above, particularly the GOP. [cont.]

Mark Mellman