Gilded Age Culture and Politics Discussion

Instructions: 

Read the following Discussion question carefully, then submit an original answer.  Your answer should be at least a few sentences to a paragraph in length.  There is no "right" or "wrong" answer, but your opinion should be well-reasoned and based on fact.  (no references needed) this is just an opinion...

How did memories of the Civil War affect the politics of the Gilded Age?  Did this focus on the past distract the attention of the public--or political leaders--away from crucial current economic problems?