How much difference would it make?

A few words on the divide between left and right.
While I agree that it would improve the general atmosphere in our country if we both stopped demonizing each other and tried to see each other's point of view, I don't believe it would make the difference some think it would.
It's true that some of the negative attitudes come from leaders and media types that profit from them with more votes, viewers or whatever. But they have to have something to work with at the beginning. If anyone thinks that things would be peaceful and harmonious without these incitements, they are just wrong.
It would probably help all of us to know how the other side sees their positions and themselves, but that would not make us agree with their view. If we were going to agree with their viewpoint, we would have done it already.
Conservatives who get to know gays or women who have had abortions as basically nice people will most likely still see them as sinners condemned to eternal hell in the afterlife.
Liberals who get to know right to lifers or klan members and see that they treat their families well and give to charity will still see them as intolerant and cruel, if not downright dangerous.
One thing I believe is a fundamental tenet of liberalism is that there needs to be a place in the world for most people, even people who don't fit the mainstream, or those we disagree with. There are limits of course, but as much as we can we try to allow a place for all types. So we would certainly agree that there is a place for the right wing somewhere in the world.
That doesn't mean the place has to be in our face.
And if we who support diversity still want some freedom from it in our lives, what can we expect from the side that supports narrower straits?
Being respectful to each other is certainly a good idea, but it won't end the deep philosophical battle.