Americans agree on policy – but culture wars get in the way

+ religious tattoos at the Olympics US Edition - Today's top story: Surprise: American voters actually largely agree on many issues, including topics like abortion, immigration and wealth inequality [View in browser]( US Edition | 14 July 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Happy Sunday − and welcome to the best of The Conversation U.S. Here are a few of our recently published stories: - [‘One inch from a potential civil war’ – near miss in Trump shooting is also a close call for American democracy]( - [Biden isn’t the first to struggle to pop the presidential bubble that divides him from the public]( Questions over whether President Joe Biden should drop out of the race following his halting performance at the recent debate have dominated the news flow – and were naturally featured in some of last week’s most popular stories. But topping the list of articles that most engaged our readers was one that diverged from the dominant narrative to rebut the election-year notion that we are a nation deeply divided. In fact, [Americans actually agree on a whole host]( of controversial policy issues, from abortion and immigration to the economy and social programs, write Michigan State University’s Dante Chinni and Ari Pinkus. And the agreement is true across all 15 different community types Chinni and Pinkus analyze in their American Communities Project, whether in “aging farmlands,” “Hispanic centers” or “big cities.” That changes, however, when the topic turns to “culture war” issues like religion, guns and family values. “In many ways, these culture fights have hijacked the political debate when there is broader agreement on issues in which government really does play an important role,” Chinni and Pinkus say. “If politics and governing are going to get more productive, Americans need to find a way to move past the issues around cultural identity.” The story is definitely worth a read – but be sure to check out the map too and all the data behind it covering those 15 community types. Bryan Keogh Managing Editor Readers' picks [Surprise: American voters actually largely agree on many issues, including topics like abortion, immigration and wealth inequality]( Dante Chinni, Michigan State University; Ari Pinkus, Michigan State University On issues and policies in which government has a serious role – taxes, immigration, the state of the economy and even abortion – a 2023 survey found a great deal of agreement among Americans. - [At the Olympics, athletes show guts, glory – and a lot of ink, including tattoos that profess their faith]( Gustavo Morello, Boston College One biblical verse bans tattoos, but the full story of Christianity’s relationship with body modification is more complicated. - [One memorable speech can turn around a faltering campaign − how Nixon did it with his ‘Checkers’ talk]( W. Joseph Campbell, American University School of Communication Facing an uproar over use of a private fund to cover expenses, vice presidential candidate Sen. Richard Nixon invoked the family dog, Checkers, to salvage his political career in 1952. - [‘The immortal Gods alone have neither age nor death’: Wisdom from Greek tragedies for Joe Biden]( Rachel Hadas, Rutgers University - Newark In the ugly spectacle of American politics, it’s hard to keep humanity in sight. But literature, says a poet and scholar of the classics, can remind us of what we know about growing old. - [AI supercharges data center energy use – straining the grid and slowing sustainability efforts]( Ayse Coskun, Boston University AI is everywhere these days, which means more data centers eating up more electricity. There’s no easy fix, but some combination of efficiency, flexibility and new technologies could ease the burden. Editors' picks [As nativist politics surge across Europe, soccer’s ‘Euros’ showcase a more benign form of nationalism]( Peter Rutland, Wesleyan University The most successful teams at Europe’s soccer championship comprise diverse players, often thanks to immigration. Could that be influencing fans’ views of nationalism? - [Oklahoma’s superintendent orders public schools to teach the Bible – relying on controversial views about religious freedom]( Mark Satta, Wayne State University State superintendent Ryan Walters has mandated that public school teachers incorporate the Bible into classroom lessons. - [4 things to watch for as NATO leaders meet in US capital for high-stakes summit]( Garret Martin, American University School of International Service The three-day meeting is touted as a time to celebrate the alliance’s 75th anniversary. 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