I agree - there are so many areas where if both sides would just give a little, things could be accomplished.

@Lavergne Unfortunately from what I've been seeing in this whole mess is that Dems literally mean compromise when they say work together. Repubs seem ot mean bend over and do it my way when they say work together. They don't want compromise, they want people to fall in line. I think that's the real issue.

@AmyLF You are absolutely right - that is exactly how it is right now - but it shouldn't and doesn't have to be that way. Dems need to learn how to fight dirty in order to earn the respect of the GOP. As long as they know the Dems will turn the other cheek, they'll be busy slapping the other cheek. I don't know what the answer is - the younger, more vocal ones might have to be the ones to get aggressive and show the other side that they're capable of all the same dirty tricks they employ on a daily basis. You can fight fire with water.....until the fire gets too big and then you fight fire with fire.

@Lavergne Maybe to a point, and very carefully, but that also runs the risk of Dems becoming what they dislike about Repubs... where would they draw the line? When people get right in the middle of it they can often overlook obvious danger signs. Before we know it they are what they fight against if they fight in the same ways.

pro life is not what they are they are pro birth and that's it they don't wanna make sure the kids are taken care of not one of them takes the burden of support or adoption for unwanted babies

@whiskywoman that's true for some pro-life, but definitely not true for all who are pro-life.

It's very tempting to demonize those we disagree with and allow our propaganda undue influence in our thoughts, but it's also essential that we fight those tendencies..

That's why striving to understand those we disagree with, acknowledging valid points then criticizing those we do agree with is essential.

I'm solidly pro-choice, but have friends who are pro-life.

@educatedredneck in the pro life debate to me there is no striving to understand and no compromise its a womans right to choose just as free speech and freedom of press (all now in jeopardy) and do those pro life friends adopt unwanted babies or pledge support for any of the lives they want to force to be born
I doubt it if not they are pro birth

@whiskywoman I think it goes further than just adopting and supporting unwanted babies though. It's statistically supported that areas with poor health care and poor education have a much higher rate of abortion or discarded kids. If we could address those problems alone it would cut way down on the need for it. Health care and education should be the big push for the long run with higher attention to allowing for that freedom of choice and support for those in need. Anything else is just crushing to the general populous.

@AmyLF another aspect is neonatal care, daycare, and overall levels of violence. “Fun” Fact, if you were raped but can’t get it prosecuted or “win” the case, and you have the baby— they can seek custody or visitation for that kid.

@AmyLF
agreed but lots of pro lifers don't want birth control either that really makes no sense and I agree about day care and better health care for the kids and the moms

and its horrible that the rapist can get any considerations

another new twist they want to do is prosecute women for loosing her baby if it dies or is still born put her In prison and its already happened that is just so wrong how can anyone prosecute a woman for loosing her baby

@whiskywoman That's my point. They really are not pro lifers if they are not supporting life. All life. They are mostly strictly anti abortionist, and in effect anti choice.

@AmyLF oh, they can’t touch Choice, they can only make it much more risky.

@ScientistV No, they cannot touch choice, but they can revoke freedom of choice laws. That's my point. Legally supporting choices, especially choices that really don't affect anyone outside the immediate family, should really be left alone. The fact that they fight freedom of choices makes them the anti-choice people they are rather than the pro-life people they claim to be.

@AmyLF it’s semantics but I was agreeing with you, they’re probirthers and antiwomens health.

@educatedredneck I'm pro life but I believe It's a women's choice not a mans . there's no way that I would want to carry a child for 9 months .

@AmyLF Aristotle had a saying, an educated mind can entertain a concept wt endorsing it

It doesn't hurt to try to understand those we disagree with. We might find a few points of agreement, heck they might even teach is something but if nothing else understanding where theyre coming from and a thorough knowledge of their points means we'll have better rebutalls.

Some "pro-life" people genuinely are pro life btw. I've met a handful of Christians and at least one church who say while they're pro life they won't push for legislation until we have solid care for sinlge parents and current unwanted babies.

Again, getting to know the "enemy" doesn't hurt us in any way but misrepresenting them doesn't help. Purely demonizing others hurts us individually and whatever causes we support

@educatedredneck Yes, I'm aware that there are a few that are pro lifers that really mean all life. The thing about many of them though, is that there is no reason for someone who is against abortions to ban it for everyone else, some of who might need it for any number of reasons. No one is trying to force that on anyone. Its just hard to get a safe and secure abortion if they are made illegal. Regulations and sterilization go out the window. Trust that if they feel they need it then they will get them. I'd think a pro lifer, a real one, would support safety in the actual life over that of a potential, not quite formed one.

What a compelling and thoughtful argument. Oh wait, not particularly.

Do you mean moderation if every single talking point— all of them. Like you’re not pro life or pro choice you believe that up until day 93 you flip a coin and poof— or does it mean you can have liberal views on some topics and conservative views on others.

That’s the thing, very few people are actually mouth pieces to the party fully and truly.

@ScientistV Good question on abortion, opinion verses reality. Late term abortion just cause you changed your mind?!?!?!? NO, but if the baby had died, has no braain, there are serious medical conditions tose issues need to be discussed and an option available. Women die in faith based hospitals because a doctor refuses to do a procedure that would save the mother but abort the fetus.
From your comment I get no real sense of your position and don't really care since a decision about abortion should be entirely between a woman and her doctor. Fact - good sex ed, including options for birth control has lowered teen pregancies and the need for abortion.
The mostly southern states trying to force their brand of religious faith based reasons for no abortions no exceptions is no damn different than the Sharia Law under the Muslim belief system that is so feared by ignorant religous folks on the right - IMHO.

IMO - religion or the evangelicals did play a big role in the division. The other key factor was Newt Gingerich and his 'contract with America'. It was divisive and mean. Newt set the stage and verved from discusion to bashing and trashing.
Reagan and his deregulation policy which the baby boomer apathy allowed to be pushed thru may actually have been the start. Rumsfled, Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz, etc. had a plan that was put in play many years ago and culminated with trump being placed in office. There were voices out there warning of the dangers but we baby boomers refused to listen. I listened but enclude myself in the we cause I am a baby boomer. Actually more stuck in hippy mode.