The only religious way to think of death is as part and parcel of life.

It is impossible for ideas to compete in the marketplace if no forum for their presentation is provided or available.

But presidential approval also became a surrogate measure of national unity and patriotism.

All of this suggests that while citizens became more comfortable with President Bush after September 11 and thought him to have the requisite leadership skills, they continue to harbor doubts about his priorities, loyalties, interests, and policies.

The public's evaluation of the job George W. Bush is doing as president changed dramatically as a result of the horrific attacks of September 11 and his response in leading the country on a campaign against terrorism.

Votes in federal elections are cast and counted in a highly decentralized and variable fashion, with no uniform ballots and few national standards.

In addition to the decline in competition, American politics today is characterized by a growing ideological polarization between the two major political parties.