The odds are that the extremely close national election wasn’t close at all in the place where you live. …
The problem with this increasing self-segregation is that there are now few places where voters (or their representatives) must fully contend with those from the other party. There is more danger (both socially and politically) in disappointing like-minded neighbors than in compromising with those who live elsewhere. Compromise isn’t rewarded in like-minded communities.
Compromisers are suspect members of the tribe. [cont.]
Bill Bishop (Reuters)