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Psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow on partisan politics dividing Americans more than race, religion or gender and the factors behind the growing number of r...
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A new report tonight that Americans are becoming increasingly divided.
Pew Research Center finding partisan differences now divide Americans -- sharply than distinctions of race.
Religion education or sex reaching a 25 year -- Joining us now to analyze what we -- the growing American divide doctor key staff psychiatrist Fox News contributor.
Doctor great to have you with -- if this is thanks -- -- would you agree with the pew research findings -- that it's a more powerful.
Distinction that is political party affiliation.
-- race religion education or sites.
I do believe that I think that these.
Issues divide people very dramatically.
And it's not unlike other situations in life.
In which people come to the point of divorce after much contention in their marriages but you have to get to that point.
Where there's that polarization.
People don't see it coming often but here it is.
It's it's it's truly remarkable and the study points out that there are more political independence now.
Bennett anytime in the past 75.
Years 38% independents.
32% Democrats 44%.
Republicans.
-- Is there anything that you you can divine on this turn to political and depends.
Well I think that people are essentially.
Looking at their government saying.
In what way are we getting -- Actions so they're not sure exactly where to head they know what they believe increasingly I think and it's different than what the other -- fellow believes they know that much.
And again.
This is the way to things breakdown psychologically and culturally also there's light in darkness there's good and evil there's work and sloth.
Right and so the bottom line is.
To some extent you have to get two point where the differences.
Very dramatic -- in my buddy rob Jim -- a lawyer said to me today you know what I think the fraud in the boiling water finally feels the heat.
That's where were -- And as we look at the latest the the temperature readings we're looking at a yes that is perfectly.
It's seemingly perfectly within the margin of error.
This is a statistical dead heat between governor Romney President Obama.
And we don't have much of a clue as to how we're what's going to resolve itself.
And that will depend on how much of how much -- -- the American people can take and who they blame for that -- Give us your best assessment.
Well listen I think that very much like those other qualities that I -- debt identified.
That people have it in mind that either there should be an entitlement society.
That they don't much value sort of the differences and talents in people and autonomy.
And a free market.
Or that they do value those things and they think that's the best way to bring the rest of the people long it's like a fundamental.
Fault line I believe in the end.
That the truth always wins and that the truth is.
That the former namely relying on other people to take care of view being in federalized by the state is a prescription.
For disaster.
Eventually it won't work the question is are we at that point now where we recognize it.
I hope so I kind of believe so.
But I guess the next election will tell the tale.
Let me turn to what we are also seeing in the midst of idea unemployment.
If those who have given up we've been seeking a job in this country at the longest period of unemployment -- of millions of Americans since the Great Depression.
We're seeing more domestic violence were seen.
Extraordinary acts of public.
Homicides of if families that are being torn to pieces we are seeing now even acts of cannibalism.
What -- -- what is.
What is driving these sudden it seems acts of cannibalism and it or is it.
Always put it president society we're just not generally aware of it.
Well let me from a forensic psychiatric standpoint I'll tell you that one key like the key to a glossary.
Or -- map is.
That.
People who do these horrific acts of destruction of others have in some -- been destroyed themselves I'll tell you it's a metaphor every time this is courses it sounds.
Every time that somebody is.
Cannibalizing another that's an individual who was cannibalized.
Spiritually or psychologically himself or herself more rarely.
But widen now Lou now I think this is what's happening we've been so.
Essentially.
Dehumanized.
By technology are empathy.
Has been squelched to the extent that now we're capable I fear of more horrific.
Acts.
-- violence.
Without feeling the self restraint that would have come from empathy for appreciating the suffering of the other person.
Now if -- right.
Then what will see is it is in fact an increase of these things.
As people become less connected to one another as.
As FaceBook relationship replaced friendship.
And text messages replaced -- we're gonna see people being quite animal lipstick and violence.
After -- them -- we thank you very much as always good to have you here are.
