It's like nothing I've ever seen in my lifetime. We've always been a country where win or lose, you came together after an election. Yeah, we bellyached about an Obama or Clinton on my side, but it was never this visceral. To actually see people asking for the country to fail to reinforce their political opinion is stunning. I think we're on the brink of a civil war.
Most presidents made gestures of reconciliation after they took office though. They try to unite and move on. In all fairness Trump did nothing of that kind, he just chose to keep pushing his agenda. I mean just listen to his inauguration speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRBsJNdK1t0.
So yeah I blame the media for the polarization, but I blame Donny just as much.
Trump was elected because of his agenda. If he was to make concessions, his base would have backed away from him immediately. I think when a candidate has run on certain positions and promises, that's what he should stick with. It's almost like treason, in my mind, to change after taking office. I didn't agree with Mario Cuomo when he was Governor of New York, and voted against him every time. But I respected the man, because everybody knew his beliefs and his positions on issues, and he stuck with them. Trump is acting the same way, as much as he can.
Most presidents made gestures of reconciliation after they took office though.
I found nothing about Obama's tenure to be reconcilatory.
Not just fanned, they're dumping gasoline on it. They also strike matches if things don't blaze without help.
This trend of "If I can't have it my way, destroy everything", politics is horrifying.