re: When did America become divided?

Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives have a relationship very much like a parent and a child. The Republicans have always been the stoic, traditional, responsible, fiscally sound, mature, sacrificing, stuck-in-their-ways adults and the Democrats have always been the starry eyed, irresponsible, volatile, open-minded, naive, fiscally irresponsible, impulsive, selfish, progressive children.

If that data suggests anything it suggests that each side digs their heels in when the other gets a little power. No different than any other parent-child relationship.

The difference between the two sides is more than just political. It's really an expression of the personality differences of two main group types. For example, I can honestly say I don't know a single liberal in my personal life that is good with their finances and I'm not just talking about the ones that don't have money. Not a one. On the other hand, I only know one conservative in my personal life that is bad with his personal budgets and I'm not even really sure if he's actually conservative at his core. I think he just plays one on the surface