Polarity? It's a problem.

     What is becoming increasingly evident in today's politics is the ever-increasing polarity that is dividing democrats and republicans. Our lesson on Monday in class was very interesting due to the fact that it really opened my eyes to something that I'd been aware of but hadn't really thought about. The polarity between Republicans and Democrats in Congress is absolutely ridiculous and is one of the causes of the recent govrenment shutdown. Not only is Congress extremely polarized, but also the American population as a whole has succumbed to this polarity. Bipartisanship between the parties, what may have been an admirable trait amongst politicians during the mid-20th century, is all but extinct. During the counter-culture movement of the 1960s there was also a large division, or polarity, on college campuses (such that looks similar to the polarity in Congress the past couple of years.) This division basically consisted  of the extreme leftists who looked to separate themselves from the rest on campus to make their point, and thereby created the resulting polarity: by using their extremism to criticize and alienate the other side. This effect, according to the article, is the problem in Congress today; except the main difference is the extremism by the Republican party. The government shutdown provides the perfect example for Republican extremism in this day and age. A group of Repubclians (the Tea party, to be specific) opposed the passing of the Health Care bill and took a stand to not allow it to pass even if the government shut down. Other less extreme Republicans were forced to follow these more extreme Republicans creating a united extremist front. This partisanship is not what founded the American government and will need to cease in order for the government to continue to work in a conveniet fashion. http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0406.glastris.html