In the US, our body politic is suffering from a sickness. Political polarization has become so extreme it has spawned violence against and by politicians.

A new syndrome, “post-election stress disorder”, is recognized by psychologists.

Instead of trying to lower the temperature, the media, politicians, and political action committees (PACs) stoke the angry passion of extremism.

Social media has contributed to this culture of outrage.

It is polluted by the rantings of bigots, trolls, and terrorists. Fear-mongering politicians use it to widen social, economic, and ideological divisions.