When it comes to understanding American culture, it would be hard to do better than find a good Australian writer.
Australians share a kinship with Americans. Both share a common history of colonialization by the British. Both were populated with adventurers, religious sects, and prisoners. Both had indigent populations which were first hunted down, then partially absorbed. Both are geographic and geologic potpourri.
So it comes as no surprise that an Australian understands something the political pundits don’t. You have to read it for yourself.