Overall, I'd agree we are getting more socially liberal. Seems like we are getting more fiscally conservative. But none of this is based on actual polls -- any anecdotal remarks here will be skewed based on your location and social circle, no?
Well, I think "divided" would indicate that people feel more strongly about their beliefs and opinions, and are less willing to compromise on them - not necessarily that we as a whole are skewing heavily to one political extreme or another. But yes you are correct in that Americans seem to be leaning towards social liberalism and fiscal conservatism.
Theoretically speaking, why can't Democrats be "fiscally conservative" (lower case "f") by rebranding the idea? Is it not fiscally conservative that a lot of Democratic policies actually save money in the long term? Government programs are cheaper than private industry doing the same job. Why can't we reduce the military budget for stupid shit, fraud waste and abuse? Who on a forum about finances not like the idea of reducing government debt? Why does this have to be an idea from the Right? Why do Democrats suck so bad at the message?
It's the way the message is delivered sure, but I think this also goes back to your previous post:
"But I really wonder if facts and clear concise use of the English language is really the way to combat the seething pitchfork carrying portion of the Right in conservative areas in our "post truth" 24 hour news cycle world? ... Being civil to our opponents and responding rationally has lost not only the presidency but swaths of state and local elections, which they totally forgot about. How do you combat a fact-free driven emotional decision making electorate with fact?"
The basis of the argument that you are proposing - that government programs are more fiscally responsible - is a logical one. You would have to tell people that a program, let's say ACA, is going to cost $x billion or trillion
now, and there are going to be some bumps in the road (rising premiums, insurers pulling out), but in 20 years we'll see healthier people and that will mean less money spent and the world will be a better place and blahblahblah. Like wenchsenior mentioned, most tend to not see things long-term and rather see what is right in front of them. Add to this the fact that people respond emotionally. Add the fact that a lot of people seem to see "big government," "socialism," etc. as fundamentally bad.
Arguing for more government programs - in terms of of an emotional, short-term "now" argument - I'm not sure how it could be done.