Call me a Pollyanna.

Russia versus the West/America. Democrats versus Republicans. I see similarities. In the polarization of political ideologues. On the domestic front. And in foreign policy, too. We go to battle with each other. Drawing the proverbial lines in the sand. And not budging. Not truly trying to understand each other. And not reaching accommodation.  We Americans are so used to it.  We divide everything into blacks and whites. Good and evil. We Americans are superior. Always on the right side. When it comes to world politics.  Everybody else is wrong. Except on the domestic scene. Republicans take the annoying stance that there are good Americans and bad Americans. Conservatives are good.  Liberals are evil. There’s no compromising, according to lunatic fringe conservative ideology. Liberals are the enemy. And the only solution. Is war. Complete destruction of the other side. Meanwhile, I’m cast as the Pollyanna. Because I think political foes can find a way. To co-exist. To live with each other. Happily. But there has to be reasonable give and take. On both sides. –Jim Broede