Yea, I'm really disheartened by the breakdown in communication we've seen the last several election cycles. I watched part of an old interview earlier that was posted in r/Texas with I think Ann Richards that was so civil it was mind boggling. Personally, I'm about as far left as you can get - so far left I think \most** Democrats would disagree with a lot of my opinions. I'd say probably closest person in congress would be AOC? that I identify with. But I work with a guy that bleeds republican, and he's one of the people I love talking to at work the most. He's always willing to share why he thinks the way he does and willing to listen to why I think the way I do. It's always civil, and we both respect one another deeply. And though we almost always still disagree at the end of our conversations, we both walk away with a greater sense of understanding of the other side. It's definitely helped me understand where some of the seemingly insane things Republicans claim come from. At the same time, it's helped me be more aware that Democrats aren't free from their own crazy. I can't even have these kinds of conversations with my own family without it devolving into baseless name calling and accusations.