I'm very purposely trying to keep my opinions about policy points out of it, because that's not what I was ever taking issue with, and it would only serve to completely derail the conversation.

All I've ever been taking issue with is the discourse itself. The US has a two party system, which is inherently going to encourage a very "us vs them" mentality. When people immediately jump to name calling, ridicule, and general verbal abuse at the first hint of disagreement, it's only making things worse.