Validating, normalising and rewarding things that are invalid, not normal and should be punished can be spewed by either side of the debate. Therein lies the paradox. The current political zeal exceeds anything I have witnessed in my lifetime and is comparable to religious fanaticism.
In part it is fueled by religious fanaticism. Right wing evangelicals actively support Felon45. Most of the US appears religiously unaffiliated. Has commitment to political ideology replaced institutionalized religion?
Most Australians are relatively free of the ravages of religion. Well I am. My state was built on an ethos of religious freedom and small towns with 4 or 5 different churches were not uncommon. I think by nature we are tribal - perhaps why sport is so popular? We need to wear our ‘colours’?