"If sexual intercourse, as the poets tell us, began in 1963, it was another decade and a half before the American political system began to take notice"

In this quote, Michael Kinsley uses a tongue-in-cheek tone to talk about the delayed response of the American political system to the sexual revolution. The opening phrase, "If sexual relations, as the poets tell us, began in 1963", is a spirited referral to the cultural shifts that occurred during the 1960s. This duration, often marked by liberation motions, saw substantial modifications in attitudes towards sex and relationships. The particular reference of 1963 likely nods to Philip Larkin's poem, "Annus Mirabilis", which humorously attributes the start of the sexual transformation to that year.

Kinsley's declaration about it taking "another years and a half before the American political system began to take notice" highlights the lag in between social changes and political acknowledgment or reaction. This 15-year gap suggests that despite the cultural shifts initiated in the 1960s, it wasn't till the late 1970s or early 1980s that these problems began to considerably infiltrate political discourse and policy-making. This hold-up can be attributed to the nature of governmental systems, which are typically slower to respond to fast cultural changes.

The quote can be interpreted as a review of the political system's inaction or sluggish response to evolving social norms. Throughout the late 70s and early 80s, issues such as reproductive rights, contraceptives, and the feminist motion started to get more political traction, forcing chosen authorities to resolve subjects that had been simmering under the surface area for several years.

Furthermore, the quote highlights the divide in between cultural evolution and institutional acknowledgment, questioning the flexibility of political structures in the face of quickly changing public mindsets. Kinsley's observation calls attention to the disconnect in between daily truths experienced by residents and the speed at which these realities are incorporated into political agendas and legislation.