“many Americans don’t understand that compromise is the lifeblood of democracy.”
Yes. And I think that some factors are exacerbating this: (1) today’s “news” media creates bubbles, and (2) the two political parties have become very scientific about weaponizing news. These two parties, and their “news media” accomplices, are doing their utmost to stir people up and create division, because that is how they create loyalty — through hate and anger.
“Pro-life people say that life begins at conception; pro-choice people say that it begins at viability (26 weeks). It seems a no-brainer to split the difference and permit abortion at 13 weeks.” — no that won’t work because the pro-life people feel that one week is the same as 100 weeks — it is still murder to them. To them, it is a binary issue, and no compromise is possible. To kill or not to kill is not something you can do “half of”.
“we don’t agree on everything, but we’re definitely within compromise range” — and I sense that we respect each other’s values and viewpoint. That is essential. Today each “side” has fabricated a caricature of the “other side” — dehumanizing them. The two political parties like it that way, and the news media plays into it because getting people riled up stimulates readership.
On Muslims, you wrote, “Yes, they prefer their customary dress, but how does that hurt anybody?” — I agree 100%; but, it is not so simple — never is! The cultures of Muslim countries is — with the exception of a few like Iran — so vastly different from the West. Americans are afraid of them. Over time, they are becoming more familiar, but gradual change allows people to adjust. A wave does not.
And another consideration: because Muslim culture is so different, an influx often results in enclaves, and unfortunately extremism often arises from within those enclaves.
And then there are situations like this. This area, in New York State, is now dominated by Hasidic Jews. My wife is Jewish, and so is her mother; yet, her mother, who had a house in Pomona, moved out because she became surrounded by Hasidim. Her husband drove through there on a Saturday and they threw rocks at his car because — in their view — one should not use machinery on the Sabbath.
Not all immigrants desire to assimilate; and those who are most culturally different are most likely to create enclaves that don’t ever assimilate. That is not healthy for a democracy. And observing that phenomenon is not racist or anti-Muslim.
