In this heated political season people are wary of discussing political topics. This concern is both wise and valid.

Explaining why the divide is so great is difficult. Historians, sociologists and many others will search for how the divide in America ever became so large.  Undoubtedly they will have explanations for why this heated political season has gotten so out of control. After all, that is what they are paid to do.

As bystanders we all have our personal and unprofessional opinions. Perhaps these are as good as what the psychologists and sociologists will eventually pontificate upon.

I have no particular expertise nor pretend to any in analyzing this phenomenon. However, one characteristic seems to differentiate between the two groups:

Republicans love their country; Democrats love their government.

These positions seem reversed if one replaces “love” with “dislike”: Republicans dislike their government; Democrats dislike their country.

Simplistic, yes! Correct, likely.