[djplong]

The one thing that gives me hope is that, when polled individually on various political topics and policies, there is a lot more out there that Americans agree on than is disagreed upon. However, we've been carved up into two tribes that are simply reactionary. If "the other tribe" likes it, it MUST be opposed and vice versa.

I've been doing some homework on this for discussion in another place and there are things out there that poll in numbers that any politician would salivate over. But tribalism keeps people from actually TALKING to each other and coming to a consensus.

I remember the days when bitter political opponents would craft legislation after hours in a restaurant. I remember when exaggerations were "ok" (sometimes you need them to make a point) but out and out lies DID count against you!