The polarization in today's US Congress has been widening over decades

[Truthseeker]

According to a Pew Research analysis, polarization in the US has been widening since the 1971-1972 congress. The Democrats have moved a little towards the left over that time, most of that over the last 10 years, whereas the Republicans have moved much more significantly to the right. On average, congress has become more conservative over the last 50 years. I quote from the analysis on the polarization:

Five decades ago, 144 House Republicans were less conservative than the most conservative Democrat, and 52 House Democrats were less liberal than the most liberal Republican, according to the analysis. But that zone of ideological overlap began to shrink, as conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans – increasingly out of step with their caucuses and their constituents – either retired, lost reelection bids or, in a few cases, switched parties.

Since 2002, when Republican Rep. Constance Morella of Maryland was defeated for reelection and GOP Rep. Benjamin Gilman of New York retired, there’s been no overlap at all between the least liberal Democrats and the least conservative Republicans in the House. In the Senate, the end of overlap came in 2004, when Democrat Zell Miller of Georgia retired.

Ever since, the gaps between the least conservative Republicans and least liberal Democrats in both the House and Senate have widened – making it ever less likely that there’s any common ground to find.

You'll have to look at the analysis to see how they came up with the categorization of conservative and liberal for each member.

The polarization in today’s Congress has roots that go back decades

 

[sun rise]

When I was growing up, we had a liberal Republican senator, Jacob Javits, in NY State. By today's standards he probably would be considered a liberal Democrat. That's just one example of the polarization and change in the Overton window.

 

[Lyndon]

Democrats have moved to th right, not the left, the whole government is getting more and more right wing

 

[Twilight Hue]

According to a Pew Research analysis, polarization in the US has been widening since the 1971-1972 congress. The Democrats have moved a little towards the left over that time, most of that over the last 10 years, whereas the Republicans have moved much more significantly to the right. On average, congress has become more conservative over the last 50 years. I quote from the analysis on the polarization:

Five decades ago, 144 House Republicans were less conservative than the most conservative Democrat, and 52 House Democrats were less liberal than the most liberal Republican, according to the analysis. But that zone of ideological overlap began to shrink, as conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans – increasingly out of step with their caucuses and their constituents – either retired, lost reelection bids or, in a few cases, switched parties.

Since 2002, when Republican Rep. Constance Morella of Maryland was defeated for reelection and GOP Rep. Benjamin Gilman of New York retired, there’s been no overlap at all between the least liberal Democrats and the least conservative Republicans in the House. In the Senate, the end of overlap came in 2004, when Democrat Zell Miller of Georgia retired.

Ever since, the gaps between the least conservative Republicans and least liberal Democrats in both the House and Senate have widened – making it ever less likely that there’s any common ground to find.

You'll have to look at the analysis to see how they came up with the categorization of conservative and liberal for each member.

The polarization in today’s Congress has roots that go back decades

Even that was obvious although I'm sure the left moved significantly as much left as the right had gone right respectively.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Democrats have moved to th right, not the left, the whole government is getting more and more right wing

Bs.

The left moved well into the authoritarian sector.

 

[Father Heathen]

Bs.

The left moved well into the authoritarian sector.

Nope. Most are right of center, especially by global standards. Do you see Europe as a wasteland of tyranny?

 

[Lyndon]

Bs.

The left moved well into the authoritarian sector.

yes that would be to the right

 

[74x12]

According to a Pew Research analysis, polarization in the US has been widening since the 1971-1972 congress. The Democrats have moved a little towards the left over that time, most of that over the last 10 years, whereas the Republicans have moved much more significantly to the right. On average, congress has become more conservative over the last 50 years. I quote from the analysis on the polarization:

Five decades ago, 144 House Republicans were less conservative than the most conservative Democrat, and 52 House Democrats were less liberal than the most liberal Republican, according to the analysis. But that zone of ideological overlap began to shrink, as conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans – increasingly out of step with their caucuses and their constituents – either retired, lost reelection bids or, in a few cases, switched parties.

Since 2002, when Republican Rep. Constance Morella of Maryland was defeated for reelection and GOP Rep. Benjamin Gilman of New York retired, there’s been no overlap at all between the least liberal Democrats and the least conservative Republicans in the House. In the Senate, the end of overlap came in 2004, when Democrat Zell Miller of Georgia retired.

Ever since, the gaps between the least conservative Republicans and least liberal Democrats in both the House and Senate have widened – making it ever less likely that there’s any common ground to find.

You'll have to look at the analysis to see how they came up with the categorization of conservative and liberal for each member.

The polarization in today’s Congress has roots that go back decades

The research is basically proven to be bias and false. The facts are that the left has moved very radically to the left and the conservatives have also moved towards the left as well but just not as much as the liberals.

 

[Stevicus]

Bs.

The left moved well into the authoritarian sector.

I would say that the left has shifted more towards capitalism since the Reagan years. The Democrats are no longer the party of FDR or LBJ anymore. Heck, even Nixon was further to the left than most Democrats are now.

 

[crossfire]

It's become the worship of idealism and ideologies (religious warfare) rather than dealing with realism and reality.

 

[pearl]

Much of the polarization has to do with the respective caucuses giving both Republican and Democratic House Speakers a major headache, beginning with the 'tea party', later the 'freedom' caucus. I think these the major reason for Bahner and Ryan resigning. The Dems are now experiencing the same problems with their socialist caucuses. As a result, little gets done.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Nope. Most are right of center, especially by global standards. Do you see Europe as a wasteland of tyranny?

It's not right if center unless your extremely naive or born yesterday.

When was the last time the left passed elective mandates and legislation? Can you tell me?

It's always compulsory mandates and legislation now , which is exemplary proof of that massive shift.

I remember a world long gone that was very much free of mass surveillance, words that carry a prison sentence, creating legally protected and preferred class's and special status requirements etc.

 

[Sand Dancer]

According to a Pew Research analysis, polarization in the US has been widening since the 1971-1972 congress. The Democrats have moved a little towards the left over that time, most of that over the last 10 years, whereas the Republicans have moved much more significantly to the right. On average, congress has become more conservative over the last 50 years. I quote from the analysis on the polarization:

Five decades ago, 144 House Republicans were less conservative than the most conservative Democrat, and 52 House Democrats were less liberal than the most liberal Republican, according to the analysis. But that zone of ideological overlap began to shrink, as conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans – increasingly out of step with their caucuses and their constituents – either retired, lost reelection bids or, in a few cases, switched parties.

Since 2002, when Republican Rep. Constance Morella of Maryland was defeated for reelection and GOP Rep. Benjamin Gilman of New York retired, there’s been no overlap at all between the least liberal Democrats and the least conservative Republicans in the House. In the Senate, the end of overlap came in 2004, when Democrat Zell Miller of Georgia retired.

Ever since, the gaps between the least conservative Republicans and least liberal Democrats in both the House and Senate have widened – making it ever less likely that there’s any common ground to find.

You'll have to look at the analysis to see how they came up with the categorization of conservative and liberal for each member.

The polarization in today’s Congress has roots that go back decades

The whole country is polarized. It's very sad.

 

[Sand Dancer]

The research is basically proven to be bias and false. The facts are that the left has moved very radically to the left and the conservatives have also moved towards the left as well but just not as much as the liberals.

The more info and knowledge we get, we should shift sloowly left. The extremists on the left have run way left and the extremists on the right have run way right. They should both mosey back to the center where the work gets done.

 

[Truthseeker]

When I was growing up, we had a liberal Republican senator, Jacob Javits, in NY State. By today's standards he probably would be considered a liberal Democrat. That's just one example of the polarization and change in the Overton window.

You've been around for a while. Your profile gives no age, but says you're retired. I'm retired, too. The name of that senator sounds familiar. I've heard of the Jacob Javits convention center today. From Wikipedia:

Generally considered a liberal Republican, he was often at odds with his own party. A supporter of labor unions, Great Society and civil rights, he played a key role in the passing of civil rights legislation. An opponent of the War in Vietnam, he drafted the War Powers Resolution in 1973.

 

[Truthseeker]

The research is basically proven to be bias and false. The facts are that the left has moved very radically to the left and the conservatives have also moved towards the left as well but just not as much as the liberals.

I trust Pew Research. Show me how it is proven to be false. Also I am 70 years old and have observed the Republican move to the right.

 

[Kooky]

Bs.

The left moved well into the authoritarian sector.

The research is basically proven to be bias and false. The facts are that the left has moved very radically to the left and the conservatives have also moved towards the left as well but just not as much as the liberals.

Here's a challenge for those right-wingers here who believe that US policies have shifted "radically" towards the left:

Compare and contrast FDR and Clinton.

Then tell us honestly that you view Clinton's policies as more leftist than FDR's New Deal, and explain why.


Next, compare and contrast Obama and Biden.

Then tell us honestly that you view Biden as more leftist than Obama, and explain why.

 

[pearl]

When I was growing up, we had a liberal Republican senator, Jacob Javits, in NY State. By today's standards he probably would be considered a liberal Democrat. That's just one example of the polarization and change in the Overton window.

We at present have a Republican governor popular among Democrats. By today's Republican party he would not even be considered a Republican nor would a previous Republican governor, both elected in an otherwise Democratic state.