The landscape of American politics has shifted remarkably since President Donald Trump first took office in the White House after one of the biggest political upsets in history.
Last week, the Daily Mail reported that a new poll from the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics shows 52 percent of Trump voters feel generally favorable toward the concept of blue states seceding from the union to “form their own separate country.” In addition, 41 percent of Biden voters would support red states splitting off from the Union, as well.
This new study is indicative of a serious political divide in the United States today. Eight months into Joe Biden’s administration, Americans appear to be deeply disunited amid ever-increasing political tensions.
However, the climate of political division in America between red and blue voters is nothing new. According to a 2019 survey, the Washington Examiner reported than 7 out of 10 people felt that the U.S. was “on the edge of civil war.”
Conversely, there does seem to be some common ground between Trump and Biden voters. For example, both red and blue voters generally believe issues like funding American hard infrastructure, raising income tax on the rich, and making community college free for all Americans are important.
According to the UVA Center for Politics’ study, one major element that both Trump voters and Biden voters could agree on is the concept of the government needing to “work for the people.” Unfortunately, both political sides of the aisle also largely believe that their opposition is working toward exacting a national agenda that circumvents their moral principles and individual values.
During his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 2021, Joe Biden promised to unify the country. “To restore the soul and to secure the future of America – requires more than words. It requires the most elusive of things in a democracy: Unity,” Biden told the crowd.
Despite his words, 82 percent of Americans felt that the country was seriously divided only three months after Biden took office. Now, newest poll findings give the impression that Joe Biden’s promised unity in the United States is more out of reach than ever before.
