re: #55 lawhawk

July 2, 1964 - enactment of the Civil Rights Act.

We probably should date the current polarization of party politics as being set in motion July 26, 1948, when Truman commenced the integration of the armed forces. The Dixiecrat party and Strom Thurmond for President followed that fall.

Whether that amounts to the country “coming off the rails” or “finally thinking about getting on the rails” is perhaps a philosophical puzzle.