[qqqwerty]

> What is it you think "they" started?

They walked away from the negotiating table around 12 years ago and are nearly entirely focused on playing up the culture war games rather than actually doing any sort of governing.

And yet there is a fun little internet subculture that insists both sides are at fault, the media is at fault, tribalism, etc...

> there are lots of situations in American politics which boil down well to Red vs. Blue. Personally I don't think this is one of them.

I disagree. Blue side has been warning about extreme weather events due to climate change, about how unprepared our infrastructure is. Red side has been oil money == good, deregulation == profits. I don't think there has ever been a disaster that has so vividly highlighted the contrasting platforms and priorities of the two parties.