...when I was a naive newbie, I had a left-leaning viewpoint with a style much the same as the balanced way of approaching people you so earnestly describe.

What I soon discovered is that, if I were to cut someone on the other side some slack and agree that they had a point, they would accept the praise, and sometimes even preen, which was OK. If I had the audacity to expect a similar reply (say, to any observation that a claim to Christian faith also requires attention to the social Gospel, including to provide for those you don't like), I could wait until Hell froze over.

I also found out that personal details would be used by some people to make points against me. So I have become less forthcoming, less frank, less willing to give an inch, and more left than I ever was. At least here.

If I were a better person, I would not have succumbed to anger and suspicion. But I'm not, and I have. If we want things to be better, we have to treat each other better.

I also note that the remarks along this line usually come from across the aisle, in either direction. Not "I, on the [left/right], am guilty of treating my honorable opponent[s] on the [right/left] as if they were [immoral/idiotic/ignorant/stingy/unhygenic/deluded/criminal/etc.], and I resolve to be more balanced in my outlook", but "You, on the [left/right], are guilty of treating your honorable opponent[s] on the [right/left] as if they were etc. etc." Which, of course, is just more of the same.

Holly Hippodays.