I'm not sure there are any easy answers. Everybody has such a negative view of politics and it has become such a vicious activity. Cynicism of the Left and Right has made it easier to hate than to empathize with those we disagree with.

It may be that our country is too large and too divided for us to resolve our crises. I have found that smaller and more local issues can more easily be solved. How do we improve traffic at this intersection, or how do we expand arts programming for at risk youth seem like problems we can understand and solve, even if we have different approaches.

I like that idea that politics is the art and science of how we live together in community. Many of our problems can only be solved at the local or state level. I think we need to scale solutions up as opposed to imposing them from the top. That being said, we still need a vigorous national government to aid with defense, response to natural disasters, and ensuring basic rights for unpopular minorities.

I would encourage people to get involved locally in whatever interests them, see what they learn and see where it leads. It certainly beats bashing strangers online.