There is no question that the upcoming presidential election will be bitter, two polarizing candidates smashing each other with little restraint.

I was thinking about that as the nation celebrated Independence Day.  The political divide in America is getting worse with some folks descending into rank hatred.

A recent Pew survey of more than 4,000 Americans defines the situation.

55% of Democrats say the GOP makes them afraid.

49% of Republicans fear the Dems.

70% of Democrats believe Republicans are more closed-minded than other Americans.

52% of Republicans feel that way about Dems.

However, 47% of Republicans feel Dems are more immoral than other Americans.

Just 35% of Democrats say GOPers are more immoral.

Talking Points believes the immorality view stems from abortion and liberal views on traditional marriage - two issues many Democrats spotlight.

In some theologies, abortion is a major sin and heterosexual marriage a cornerstone.

Thus, the moral judgment.

The closed-mind deal largely has to do with guns.  Many Democrats believe the government should impose tighter restrictions on gun sales and don't understand why gun advocates refuse to compromise.

Just the words "right wing" are enough to cause fear and loathing in many liberals.

But that loathing is shared by conservative Americans who believe that the liberal doctrines of unfettered immigration and political correctness to the point of absurdity are severely damaging the USA.

So both sides are angry, not willing to even consider opposing points of view.

Political anger has always been present in America.  Thomas Jefferson and John Adams viciously attacked each other in the campaign of 1800, which Jefferson won.

Today, according to Pew, 86% of Republicans dislike President Obama.  83% of Democrats disagree; they like him a lot.

That kind of a divide feeds a kind of hyper-hatred with cable news, talk radio and the Internet - giving platforms to partisan provocateurs who whip things up with little thought of being fair.

That being said, robust debate is necessary in a free society.  But when a debate is won, hatred should not follow.

Things like Kate's Law, confronting the evil jihadists and protecting poor people from murderous gang violence really don't have two sides do they?

There is a right and wrong in this world.  Unfortunately today both political parties believe they have a monopoly on right.

But they are wrong.

And that's the memo.