A little disclosure here:
I am part of a number of "unite" and "depolarization" groups -- including my own. (I deal with a group I refer to as the "UFBPs" - the Unapologetic Fire-Breathing Partisans on a daily basis. Yes, on BOTH sides). My "gig" is discovering, acknowledging, and celebrating our common links and connections.
The United States is perhaps one of the most politically polarized countries in the world currently. Throughout history, countries have broken apart when segments of the population become too polarized and have nothing in common anymore (a big fear of mine). Can ya get a guy from Louisiana and a guy from Massachusetts to agree on anything these days? It may have been true 30 years ago, not anymore.
The definitions of a audio conservative vs progressive flows through from what a guy’s political inclinations are in real life. His mindset translates right through...(no surprise there). Personally, i am from Missou, i.e., about as conservative as it gets around where i grew up/currently live, but, i tend to be a moderate. Look at the top technical pool in any of the national labs, technology corps, etc, they tend to be of a progressive mindset. Rarely does one see a political conservative in such circles, i.e., rarely does one see the latter writing up a dissertation in physics, engineering, etc. I am an engineering Phd who worked in such institutions for a long time before i went the entrepreneurial route. Nevertheless, It is not difficult to classify one party in this country as an "anti-education" party these days... They also think they can defund the educational institutions, keep em dumb and shine above all the competition around the world (especially in Asia) miraculously. It is the imported genius immigrant labor that’s largely holding the fort w.r.t technical excellence. I’m not sure if the local dudes in town are ever gonna step up at this rate. The conservatives in the rest of the western world don’t shun education..it’s a bizarre flippin phenomenon unique to God’s own land. It is not that hard for me to side with the progressives when i see this crap. And yes, i have a quite a few conservative friends and family members. We listen to music, have a few drinks and don’t talk about politics.