FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
For most of the eight years George W. Bush was president, the United States was a nation divided.
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Liberals and many independents passionately opposed what President Bush was doing and the way he was doing it - from the wars, to torture, wiretapping of U.S. citizens, the response to Hurricane Katrina and the president's cowboy attitude when it came to international relations.
When Barack Obama was elected in 2008, we were told things would change. Candidate Obama promised a new era of bipartisanship. He promised to change the way Washington works. A tall order for sure, but a lot of people believed it could happen.
Fast forward two years and in many ways this country seems more divided than ever. For starters, critics say the administration is insular and out-of-touch with most Americans. The same thing many said about Bush.
Also, they say the president's promises of bipartisanship fell flat, with the Democrats pushing through controversial legislation like health care reform with few, if any, Republicans on board.
Many Americans are now opposed to what this president has done, including health care, the stimulus bill and record government spending.
Some are so disgusted with what's going on in Washington that a whole new political movement has been born. In many ways, it seems like the phenomenon that is the Tea Party sprung up in reaction to President Obama's policies.
And, as the country votes today in the midterms, it's an election that's been marked by angry, nasty ads and personal attacks between the political parties, which seem to be worse than ever.
Here’s my question to you: In less than two years, does it seem the country has become even more divided than it was during the Bush years?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Karen in Idaho writes:
Yes, we are a more divided country than ever before. We spent 8 years under George Bush hoping that things would get better when he was gone. The deepening division has come because we expected things to get better immediately with a new president. The damage to our country is so deep that we cannot expect repairs overnight. It will take years to get back to the Clinton days of optimism and hope for the future.
Bonnie in New Jersey writes:
I say we are not as divided as one would think; most of us are still in the center. We have been here through Bush and now Obama but neither one has connected to us. I am not so sure Bush was even worried about connecting with us and I think Obama is stunned that he hasn't.
Carla writes:
I frankly don’t believe this country will stand much longer. I expect a revolution. We’re divided into two factions – the poor and the wealthy, with no middle class anymore.
Mike writes:
When we create the jobs, we'll also destroy the demons. Then a great new day will be ushered in!
Peg in New York writes:
From what I see on TV, my answer would be yes. But yesterday, I attended a Democratic rally for Scott Murphy with Former President Bill Clinton. One thing impressed me the most, civility. Directly across from The Democratic Rally, his opponents had their own area to support their candidate. At no time did I hear a nasty comment or see any inkling of impolite behavior. Are we divided? Yes. Can we be civil? Yes. Is it as extreme as it was during the Bush years? In some areas, yes.
Kevin writes:
I can't remember a president that has used the term "the other side" or "the other guys" more than this one. How can that possibly be an effective way to build bridges or "Unite" as was promised?
N. writes:
I think we are certainly more divided today. In the final years of the previous administration, our country was united – in opposition to Bush.