Political polarization is what paralyzes us

NEIL GABLER has discounted political polarization as the cause of congressional inaction (“Is America too old to be bold?”). In fact, both parties have discovered that driving their bases to the poles is key to winning elections. Party strategists have discovered that it is much easier and cheaper to motivate the base than it is to convince centrists and the undecided.

This electoral strategy leads to extreme rhetoric and constant attacks on the other party in a concerted effort to produce outrage among com