It represents the sharp division of Americans and their intolerance for each other based on political beliefs.

In Kirk's example, politics and religion blended to yield something of a mystical and cultist belief that directly, and in veiled ways asks for violence to solve problems argument doesn't. His tongue and pen were too sharp for any kind of rational discussion. He was murdered by an extremist just as misguided.

Stirrer of this cauldron is the felon, who is able to advance his policies because of it. Y'all are blinder than eyeless Kentucky cave fish. But touch you with truth and you go ape, bananas, and sometimes postal.