Mollying a “second civil war”

NEWS & OPINION

Political conflict has grown so widespread that many Americans think a second civil War could be coming. There are many.

” We found that Americans think divisions are getting worse since 2021 began and they will continue to get worse in the future. According to Taylor Orth (a senior journalist at YouGov who regularly measures public opinion on cultural and political issues), two fifths of Americans think a civil war will occur in the next ten years.

“Two-thirds of Americans (66%) believe that political divisions in this country have gotten worse since the beginning of 2021, compared to only 8% who say the country has grown less divided. Few see things improving in the coming years: 62% expect an increase in political divisions,” Ms. Orth wrote.

“A similar share (63%) to the proportion who say political divisions have worsened (66%) say political violence has increased since the start of 2021. Three in five Americans (60%) anticipate an increase in political violence in the next few years and only 9% expect political violence to decline,” she said.

There has been some talk in the media about “second civil war”, which was rumored to have occurred during former President Donald Trump’s tenure in office. Some examples from the last 48 hours:

” What’s all the fuss about a civil war? “, asked an editorialist in The New York Times on Sunday.

“Is America headed for civil war?” was another question in The Washington Post.

” Are we heading for civil war?” Star Parker, syndicated columnist asked.

” For a country to function it must have a common denominator that shares values and principles. “This common denominator is dangerily eroding, and animosities have been sharpening.” Ms. Parker said.

” Am I forecasting another civil war?” She said, “God forbid!”

Voters available and ready

So the midterm elections are now 71 days off, as of Monday. This time, there is surprising interest from voters. A CBS News poll released Sunday finds that 64% of registered voters agree that the midterms elections “matter as much as a presidential election.”

And most interesting — a quarter of them — 25% on the nose — say the midterm election matters more than a presidential bout. Another 74% say they have been paying “a great deal” or a “fair amount “of attention to the election.

“Would it be worth your while to skip this November’s elections, that is, not vote, if you don’t like any of the candidates or parties, or would you choose someone you trust and cast your ballot? CBS asked respondents.

Here’s what they said: 80% said they will vote no matter what, and the rest — an even 20% — said they would consider not voting. You can see more information and poll details in the Poll du Jour column at the end.

In case you wondered

Here’s some useful weather information from the Old Farmer’s Almanac. It has been providing such forecasts and giving sage advice for 231years.

” The Almanac forecasts that this winter would split the country into two. The Almanac predicts that this winter will either be one of the most memorable or the worst. One side will experience bone-chilling cold, snow and lots of snow while the other will feel as if winter has never arrived.

” For farmers, snow bunnies and truckers as well as anyone planning ahead, it is important to refer to extended weather forecasts. The venerable magazine stated that readers want to know what the winter will bring so they can be prepared.

This is certainly not bad advice, either. The Almanac.com almanac is available for download.

Debt follies continue

Let us just briefly recall President Biden’s lofty promise to eliminate student debt. Pennsylvania University’s Wharton School has recently estimated that the total plan cost could reach $1 trillion.

The outrage about the idea persists.

“President Biden did not cancel student debt. It was transferred to millions of Americans who were not able to afford college or have repaid their loans the traditional way. This is just another tax on hard-working Americans who pay their taxes, pay their mortgages or rent, and pay their debts,” writes Saul Anuzis, former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, and president of the 60 Plus Assoc. a nonpartisan advocacy group.

Who gets hurt?

“Every non-college graduate. All tradesmen. Every blue-collar worker that didn’t attend college. All college graduates who paid back their loans. Every soldier and veteran who is paying off your neighbor’s loan for getting a degree in Gender Studies from some ‘top 10′ university’,” Mr. Anuzis said in an essay shared with Inside the Beltway.

” The only thing that we have to end is the politics of progressive left, which is pushing our country into recession through more debt, increased deficit spending and additional entitlement programs. “When you rob Peter, you can often count on Paul’s support,” Mr. Anuzis stated.

Poll du jour

75% of registered U.S. voters say they “definitely will vote” in the 2022 elections for U.S. Congress in November; 80% of Republicans, 71% of independents and 75% of Democrats agree.

12% of voters overall say they “probably will vote” in the elections; 10% of Republicans, 14% of independents and 13% of Democrats agree.

7% 7% Overall “may or might not vote”, 6% of Republicans and 7% of Independents agree. 8% of Democrats are in agreement.

3% 3% Overall “probably won’t vote”; 2%, 5% and 2% respectively of Republicans and independents agree.

2% overall agree “definitely won’t vote”. 2% of Republicans and 3% of Independents are in agreement.

The CBS News Battleground Tracker poll of 2 ,126 U.S. registered voters was conducted August. 26-27.

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