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As the government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, Americans are hearing two very different stories about who is to blame and what is at stake. Official communications from members of Congress express how each side is attempting to shape public opinion on the shutdown.

Given the broad differences between Republicans and Democrats, there are many examples of strong policy disagreements. How can these disagreements be described – are they respectful of opponents or derogatory? The way that politicians talk about their opponents can shape how Americans view political opposition itself. Our analysis of polarization is based on a unique database of all official congressional e-newsletters to constituents, maintained at DCinbox.com by Everything Policy’s Board Member and Content Lead Dr. Lindsey Cormack (Associate Professor of Political Science, Stevens Institute of Technology).

In most states, politicians are responsible for the redistricting process, but in other states, independent redistricting commissions are utilized. How do independent commissions operate? What is their impact on the redistricting process?