It really is time for everyone to sit down and start sharing ideas with a new civility. No actually, it's the old civility that has disappeared. For some reason, it has become okay to label others because of their ideas and then refuse to talk with them simply because of the label. Discussion usually occurs among adults - it is only by a rational, unemotional sharing of ideas that we can grow and become better.
I guess I would compare the American political process at this time to a marriage that has gone bad. I just read recently that the major cause of divorce is not conflict but the refusal to address conflict. I think that applies to the political rhetoric being thrown around by so many very loud voices in America today. Just as in a marriage, if the parties can confront their differences, they can usually reach a point of consensus. However, if one party lobs in a bomb and then runs away before the conflict can be addressed, the relationship usually explodes, with little hope of repair. Let's hope that we can all get to the point where we can have reasonable, respectful discussions again.
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