Values?

A study by Pew Research shows that during the 25 years of their polling on "values," people of all stripes are coming more together on many issues -- all except for two stripes, that is....

The divide between Republicans and Democrats has grown greatly, especially during the past two presidents. On issues like the environment and welfare, the difference in opinion at the end of the Reagan presidency was narrow; now, they are among the defining issues separating the parties.

This is not a surprise, but why has it happened? I blame the Republicans, oddly enough. George W. Bush won a controversial election and governed like the cowboy he is, and it rankled liberals much more than Reagan or Bush the First ever did. And Republicans hate Obama because he's black (it's not that simple, but it almost is). So they've been polarizing figures, each in his own way.

It also is interesting to note that on welfare and environmental issues, the Democrats have stayed pretty true to the numbers from 1987, while the Republicans have flocked away from such views -- proof to me that they are the ones who have become more polarized. One area where Democrats have changed more: religiosity.