It really is a horrible cycle.

[Claustrum]

2. I believe that Americans (as a whole) are center to the right in voting patterns.

They might be more progressive in different individually issues but many are taught to be right leaning and will default to the right until they see how horrible the right's ideas are when they are in power.

I used to think I am a right leaning person (from how I am taught growing up) until I really examine my core beliefs and I found I am actually left leaning.