The animosity that exists between the hardcore liberals and conservatives is quite unsettling. I sometimes wonder what it is that these people want. It's as if they want everybody to be like them, kind of a stepford nation. These are unrealistic expectations and it is time for partisan politics to come to an end. We hear the word partisan a lot, but do we fully understand the impact of the definition?

Partisan - a firm adherent to a party, faction, cause, or person; especially : one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance.

I have to say that this is the perfect definition for the current state of politics. The blindness on both sides prevent them from seeing what could be. The prejudice feeds the hatred and fear. And the unreasoning allegiance leaves a nation divided that must be united. Included in another definition were the words, especially one who does not listen to other people's opinions. This points out the larger problem, neither side is listening to the other. It doesn't matter what either side says, the other isn't going to listen because it came from the opposing side. This lack of listening prevents us from finding compromise. How can we reach compromise if nobody is listening? There are always going to be disagreements, but it is not about agreeing on everything, it is about compromising on everything. Without compromise we divide and fall.

Both the liberal and conservative media continue to fuel the fires of division. They seem to do everything possible to keep their base fearing and hating the other side. In listening to both sides it appears as if they are more concerned about a victory for their political party then they are in a victory for their country. It is time for both sides to put America first. There is a good side to having these opposing views as they keep our country from going too far to one side or the other. Without liberals our government would probably evolve into a theocracy, which would eventually result in a dictatorship. Without conservatives our government would probably go the route of socialism, eventually resulting in a dictatorship. Having these two sides is supposed to help bring balance to our system. Unfortunately, the lack of communication has not allowed us to take advantage it. Our greatest strength is a united America, without it I fear where it will lead us.