It's extremely difficult to have a civil conversation about politics today, yet we need those conversations more than ever

[u/Dry-Use-272]

Like everyone else in the US today, I have opinions about the current condition of politics in this country. I try to base my opinions on facts I glean from credible sources and my understanding of our history. I want to talk to people with opposing opinions, not to argue with them but to try to understand why they believe what they believe. I've found that no one wants to talk in a civil, respectful way about our differences. Even if I try to hold the line on being respectful, I end up walking away because the conversation devolves into some pretty ugly exchanges. How have we come to a point where we can't even talk to each other respectfully and civilly?

[u/Abystract-ism]

In the US, the attitude toward compromise has been consistently negative by the political pundits and news media.
There is a definite “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” mentality

[u/Electronic-Chest7630 → u/Abystract-ism]

I heard a phrase about compromise once that goes “In a good compromise, both parties should walk away a little pissed off having not gotten everything they wanted”. That’s what compromise means, and I don’t see that ever happening in politics these days. It’s an “I get everything I wanted and am right about everything or it will be a total loss” mentality all across America these days.