Why Americans Aren't as Divided as We Think

America isn't as divided as one might think in light of the recent government shutdown and elections that show the "blue state-red state" divide, according to a new Esquire-NBC News survey. There is a growing segment of the American public that shares a set of ideas at the center of traditional liberal and conservative viewpoints. Pluralities of people, for example, believe that the political system is broken (49 percent) and that the economy is bad (50 percent). They also fear another 9/11 or Boston-style bombing (70 percent), and support legalized marijuana (50 percent). While just one in four support a path to citizenship with immigration reform, the new American center does have a socially progressive streak, supporting gay marriage (64 percent), the right to an abortion in the first trimester (63 percent) and a federal minimum wage hike to no less than $10 per hour (67 percent). The center is mostly white (78 percent) but is culturally diverse ranging from suburban mothers to rural working class men and rich business people. Click through find out more about the survey's results and take the quiz to find out where you stand. Or check out an interactive graphic breaking down differences among Talk Radio Heads, Minivan Moderates and Bleeding Hearts.

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