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This is a very interesting article. American politics is so fractured right now (with approximately 50% of the nation disagreeing totally with the other 50%) that the argument that the nation is turning to the left or to the right could be made just as easily.

For those interested in the Michael Barone piece referenced here, click:

http://nationaljournal.qpass.com/scripts//printpage.cgi?/members/almanac/2002/intro.htm

The article takes awhile to get around to the real point: America is divided no longer by economics, but by culture and conflicting systems of morality. Fewer rich are voting Republican, and fewer poor are voting Democrat. Barring a full-scale 1930's depression, within a few elections the level of income will not longer be a big factor in how someone votes.

One half of America finds its moral Genesis in the traditional, largely Christian culture of America's founding. The other 50% finds its moral foundations in the 1960's, when a new generation insisted to anyone who would listen that moral barriers meant nothing, that drugs and loose sex were the way to go. Not every Gore voter behaves that way, but they believe that people should if they like, and the rest of us should facilitate it.

These voters were not especially bothered by Bill Clinton running around the Oval Office with his pants down, or getting oral sex while on the phone with a Congressman. A significant number of these people saw nothing wrong with that behavior, have never been taught to hold the office of the Presidency in any regard, and could probably imagine themselves in the same position given the circumstances. Perjury and obstruction of justice are just empty phrases to them. They like that Bill Clinton was clever, cute, and kept their 401k's rolling along. They like that he enjoyed homosexuals (most of these voters want very much for others to think they find homosexuality as normal as a stroll through the park), rubbed elbows with their favorite movie stars, did not destroy the economy, and spent government money on social problems. This group believes that government should do all it can to make their lives better.

This group is very afraid, or annoyed, with the Chrsitian Right. They see them as old fashioned witch hunters. This group wants abortion to continue, because they can't imagine how people could get out of the "burden" of a baby otherwise. Not having a lot of sex would not even enter their minds, and anyone suggesting that would be "puritanical" or "intolerant." They raise their kids to "make their own decisions" about religion, insuring that they will have none.

This is an extremely broad generalization. I'm sure some Gore voters don't fit this bill. But I bet a significant number do. This thinking is what is slowly destroying America. This is what American elections are all about today.