When you speak about facts, there is usually not a lot of room for debate. Is the car red or blue? Is it raining or not? But when you speak of ideas, each of us forms our opinions based on our frame of reference... our personal history and experiences, specific interests. Thus, while opinions between people may have similarities, they are individual. My opinion might be right for me, but wrong for you and vice versa.

When we share our opinions, this should be kept in mind by both sides. Just because you came to an opinion 180 degrees opposite of mine, doesn't make you stupid... or me an idiot. When I share an opinion here it is just that.. an opinion. I throw it out to see what perception others have on the idea. I am open to modification, but am totally turned off when attacked with slurs. At that point, I shut out the opposition. If you cannot approach a discussion with civil discourse, then we have nothing to talk about.

They will learn that, because they'll be living with the results. During the rise of the Roman Empire, much land was claimed by defeating one tribe after another, which was easily done. Why? because the tribes could never band together to fight and had they done so, Rome would have lost. The tribes could never unite - because they squabbled over who was to lead the united tribes. Pride and arrogance won more for Rome than all the legions put together. Interesting enough, that was also part of Rome's downfall, added to that apathy and a sense of entitlement.

All that to explain why division is so important - to some. Should the majority of Americans come to a consensus, there'd be some changes wrought, which would NOT benefit politicians and their big money pals. Monopolies would be broken and the Congress would become employees again instead of masters. Nope, common purpose and majority rule CANNOT be allowed to happen. There is too much money and power at stake.

I also mentioned Rome's downfall because you mentioned history repeating. The US empire is riding the same historical train as Rome did and I expect the results to be similar. The sense of entitlement ( NOT welfare ) that we have, the inattentiveness, the apathy, the whining, the abrogation of responsibility, all lead the people to sit by and let a select few determine the fate of this country.