I agree with many of your points, as well as many of the points of the OP. I'd like to suggest that the biggest issue is the division, the name calling, and the blaming on both sides of the aisle.
To me, it's not a matter of Democrats VS Republicans. That is a strategy designed to ensure that We the People do not work together to reach mutual goals. At the end of the day, we all want the same basic things. We differ on the best way to achieve those things. I would love to see political discussions drop the labels and focus solely on the issues.
RE: Food for Thought