The current civil war in America is really an uncivil debate about whether or not to trust the federal government. Policy aside, fundamental beliefs are separating Americans into two intense camps.
On the left sits the give hope a chance crew, which supports the dramatic increase in government influence and spending. These pro-Obama citizens believe that the president can right economic and social wrongs by dramatically expanding federal power.
Cruising on the right are those suspicious of increasing federal power. These folks generally believe President Obama is, indeed, an agent of hope: He hopes the nation will embrace a form of neo-socialism. Emotions are running high on both sides of the debate.
Polls show the nation is almost evenly divided when it comes to Obama's vision for the country. A Rasmussen poll this week has the president's approval rating at 49 percent, while 51 percent disapprove. That's even when the margin of error factor kicks in.
We are a country at odds. Just six months ago, the president's approval rating approached 70 percent as the nation looked forward to better times under a young, dynamic leader. But that was then.
Now, there is chaos in the air. The massive spending the Democrats have championed has unsettled many who understand that foreign lenders, in particular the Chinese, are becoming a lifeline for America. If these people pull out, disaster drives in. With bankruptcy looming in California, it is not far-fetched to see the federal government drowning in debt, as well.
Also, few understand Obama's health care vision, and he has not been able to explain it effectively. Most human beings value security. Are you feeling secure these days?
But it is the trust factor that has really frayed tempers. Conservative Americans, almost 40 percent of the population, are outraged at Obama's expansionist policies. The right simply does not trust the president and probably never will.
Liberals, about 20 percent of the folks, are standing by their man. They want a huge federal presence to dictate who gets what in health care, and they love the income redistribution strategy in general. In Obama, the hopes of the committed left are being realized.
But it is the other 40 percent of Americans, mainly independents, who are losing hope and fairly quickly. Most Americans are not hard-core ideologues and are willing to give any new president a chance. But with the recession still causing massive pain and a president who increasingly seems unsure of himself, the independent folks are getting nervous.
Since last January, there certainly has been plenty of change. But, as the polls prove, fewer and fewer folks are believing in it.
• Bill O'Reilly is host of the Fox News show "The O'Reilly Factor."