This is the last in a series of articles examining then role of binary thinking in polarizing American politics.
It is that time once again when Americans must make critical choices about their future from a limited set of options. For more than 170 years they have been all but forced to select their leaders from just two political parties — Democratic and Republican — at times holding their noses as they did. Such nasal restraint will surely be evident this year as well. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, only about four-in-ten participants (41%) have a very or somewhat favorable view of the Democratic Party. Fewer still (37%) are impressed by the GOP. Moreover, a Gallup poll found that 77% of respondents said most members of Congress don’t deserve another term.