Toxic Progressivism?

So many of my liberal, progressive friends end up having nothing at all good to say about our conservative neighbors.  Among many of my liberal friends seems to live an essence that would purport that conservative politicians, politics, ideologies and religions are basically evil and self-serving and brain-dead ideologies, politicians, politics and religions.  "We liberals are right and those doggone conservatives are wrong!"  End of story. 

What hits me is that, regardless of what good religions or theologies say we should do, we all live in and embody an eye-for-an-eye and tooth-for-a-tooth kind of approach to things:  To our beliefs, to our political leanings, to our respect for one another, especially towards those who differ from us.  We do not for the most part do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

Along with the rest of my liberal/progressive brothers, I too have severe reservations regarding the messages and leadership put out by our President Trump.  I shake my head daily about how I perceive so many of his messages to be all about dehumanizing and perhaps even disenfranchising those who don't seem to meet up with his beliefs who are "worthy" individuals.  Seeming to promote an ethic of getting ahead by conquering and debasing and walking on others who he doesn't care about in the pursuit of progress for those he does care about.

But I do have to wonder:  Does he think he is doing the right thing?  Does he think that what he does and how he exemplifies doing it is good for the nation?  And I rather tend to believe he feels he is doing the best he knows how to do, that he believes what he is doing is good for our nation.

And that confident belief in the goodness of his own leadership brings others along with him for a ride.  I hear complaints that label our President as racist.  I see and sense many feel that man bullies his way though things.  I feel that way myself.  And having the kind of upbringing I have had, I believe that doing/being a "bully" or a "strongman" kind of leader has the potential of doing much more harm than good for our world.

But I tend to wonder if many or most good conservatives believe, like liberal me believes, that such behavior from a top leader is more destructive to the moral and ethical fabric of our nation than it is healing and good for society?

I tend to hold to the belief that "progessive" Methodists and "conservative" Methodists alike, both being true Christian individuals, can want for our fellow humans the same things.  To promote growth and betterment of our society and ourselves, to promote the liberty of believing it's okay to accept others who are not just like us.

I really tend to believe that no matter what party affiliation people have and how they choose to vote, that they will be voting their conscience, voting their belief that their way is for the best for all of us.  So I refuse to belittle or mock or deride those whose politics differ from mine.  Because by throwing the stones of derision by both sides to the other side, we only hasten the disintegration of civility.  We only firm up the walls that separate us.  I think that only by respecting the differences can we have a hope to ever come together and help lead so that, with both sides having input, we can work together rather than against one another.

It's really an old idea.  It may  not be in favor these days.  But there is such a thing as "bipartisanship."

What do you think?