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Dire warning: This column is about politics. Yikes!

I spent my last 25 years of active journalism working on the opinion pages of this newspaper. In that role, I met and interviewed just about every politician and political aspirant from this region as well as statewide office seekers and incumbents including a couple vice presidents of the United States. You know the names of those two Minnesotans.

Jim Heffernan

This is not to boast about all the important people Ive met governors, U.S. senators, Congress members, legislative leaders, city leaders, dog catchers but rather to illustrate that Ive spent a considerable amount of time around politicians from both major parties (and a few from minor parties, including one who shares a given name with Jesse James).

You pick up on certain traits in people who seek public office, some of whom succeed. After the successful ones have been in office for a while, they all, regardless of party, seem to have read the same playbook about how to be a politician.

For example, when speaking publicly, they never refer to this country simply as the "United States"; they always thunder United States of America in case there is any confusion about which United States they mean.

And they say the people they serve are always hardworking Americans who roll up their sleeves a lot. I have known many Americans I wouldnt consider hardworking, not excluding myself. I roll up my sleeves for a COVID-19 shot. They are also very quick with thoughts and prayers when the occasion suggests it.

Incumbents above a certain level never appear on TV or before a gathering of constituents without American flags (Old Glory) behind them, preferably several, in case there was any doubt about their patriotism.

Some things have changed, though, in recent years since I left active journalism, mainly the widening gap between the two major parties. Once opponents were referred to as worthy when referenced, and their party the loyal opposition. No more.

Thus, I have compiled a list of ways I see how Democrats and Republicans differ these days on major, and some minor, issues. I am not favoring one side over another here, although I obviously have a political ideology. These are just things I notice as I observe the political divisions play themselves out today, especially in Washington. Here goes:

So here we are a country divided against itself. How long can it stand?Finally, I suppose there are committed politicians who will resent some of these observations of the differences between the two parties. Thats fine. I believe more politicians should be committed. Pick your asylum.

Jim Heffernan is a former Duluth News Tribune news and opinion writer and columnist. He maintains a blog at jimheffernan.org and can be reached by email at jimheffernan@jimheffernan.org.

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Jim Heffernan column: Republicans, Democrats differ on everything - Duluth News Tribune