polarization

Rural Whites Deserve a Fair Break. But they Must Dump the Language of MAGA.

January 12, 2021 By Erik Curren

After 1/6, it’s gotten harder to talk about why America needs to do more for the rural white working class. Can they meet the rest of us half way, by dumping Trump and picking some other champion?

Why Rural Voters Swung from Obama to Trump — and Stayed Loyal to Trump

December 9, 2020 By Erik Curren

It’s a mistake to dismiss rural white voters who swung from Obama to Trump as racists or dupes. Their economy shows that rural white people have good reason to distrust Democrats.

Trump Loves Polarization and His Opponents Love It Too

October 24, 2020 By Erik Curren

Ezra Klein explains the partisanship that allows Republicans to put party before country by embracing Trump. But he says that Democrats aren’t much different in the ways they oppose Trump.

Who Really Loves American Polarization

November 26, 2019 By Erik Curren

To weaken the U.S., Putin’s Russia works hard on social media to increase tension between American liberals and conservatives. But the oil industry reaps benefits too.