When I first came to Reader Rant the balance of participants was decidedly mixed, but leaning right. Over the years, most of those participants have left, or could not abide civility strictures. On other fora, there is little overlap of political/social views, and little tolerance of opposite views, so that is one of the things I treasured here. We had lively, but civil, debates.

Ás political divisions in Congress have become more disparate, it seems political views in public have too. That seems true here as well. Not only do I have fewer friends here with contrary views, I have fewer in the real world as well. I have always enjoyed the mix, and seriously miss the give and take. I seek out those with different views, but they are becoming harder to find. We are becoming enclaved.

Are o there finding this true in their personal lives as well? Do you miss the banter? Are we more afraid to express views? Can we counter this trend?

A well reasoned argument is like a diamond: impervious to corruption and crystal clear - and infinitely rarer.

Here, as elsewhere, people are outraged at what feels like a rigged game -- an economy that won't respond, a democracy that won't listen, and a financial sector that holds all the cards. - Robert Reich