If you are motivated out of a sincere desire to save the country, it is easy to view the other side as the enemy. If you are trying to save the country the other side must be trying to destroy it right? No, it is entirely possible that both sides are motivated by a sincere desire to move the country forward in the right direction. This county has many real enemies; we have foreign terrorists who want to destroy our very way of life. There are crime lords who try to poison our bodies and minds and don't care about how many innocents they have to hurt, or kill in the meantime. We still have nation states that would love to see this nation brought down and abased. There are many around the world who would love to see real harm brought to this country.
The truth is that the average Democrat and the average Republican just want to see this country head in the right direction. The thing is we just disagree about what direction the right one is. Even the people who are trying to head us down the wrong direction aren't doing it because they are evil, or malevolent. They are just wrong. Wrong doesn't mean diabolical. It just means mistaken.
Trying to convince another that their position is wrong or yours is right, is fine and should be encouraged, but let's not take it too far. The other side is not evil even if you believe they are wrong. I believe that all of us in the human family are children of a Heavenly Father who loves us all and wants all of us to live with Him again. Wasn't it Jesus that told us to love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us? If we are commanded to treat our actual enemies with that kind deference, is it not more important for us to show our brothers and sisters who are genuinely trying but are just wrong on the issues the same kind of slack? It is fine to disagree and debate, to paraphrase our former Secretary of State, but let's not judge their hearts. Telling them that they are wrong about their beliefs on the tax system is fine. Telling them that they are evil for believing it may cross the line into judging others.
Let's not forget the Saviour's warning. He tells us that with whatever judgement that we judge others, we will be judged. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have committed enough errors that I want the Lord to forgive me so I need to show forgiveness to others. My future depends on it. Does yours?