“What has happened between 2001 and 2009 to so radically change the cultural climate? Here, at last, is one piece of good news in our global economic meltdown: Americans have less and less patience for the intrusive and divisive moral scolds who thrived in the bubbles of the Clinton and Bush years. Culture wars are a luxury the country — the G.O.P. included — can no longer afford.”

Great article by Frank Rich on the diminishing role of “culture wars” as well as the diminished status of those who used to wage them. I think that this new development is one that the GOP should take heed of- especially since they’ve already signaled that they plan on building a new platform that essentially focuses on opposing gay marriage and abortion.

Rich concludes with this optimistic prediction:

History is cyclical, and it would be foolhardy to assume that the culture wars will never return. But after the humiliations of the Scopes trial and the repeal of Prohibition, it did take a good four decades for the religious right to begin its comeback in the 1970s. In our tough times, when any happy news can be counted as a miracle, a 40-year exodus for these ayatollahs can pass for an answer to America’s prayers.

As wonderful as this assertion sounds I don’t buy it- especially with gay marriage on deck as an issue that the President will eventually have to deal with. When the time comes to really begin that national dialog, our regional and religious differences will inevitably reignite. The question remains how prevalent a role will they have in determining national policy? Will it be a matter of a few loud voices sparring loud enough to encourage mass dissent or approval? Or, will the President or someone speak reason to passion and really create a climate where we might “disagree without being disagreeable”. Only time will tell but I have no doubt that we’re headed into a period of progress, inevitably, this will result in an increased awareness of our cultural, as well as generational, differences.