Thank you for sharing this, I loved imagining what things might have been like then (I was not born yet)!!

And I think you are absolutely right, this fellow would probably have no shelter in the Democratic Party of today. I certainly don't agree with what he said, but I love that you were both able to respectfully debate. It gives me hope that we can collectively hone that skill again someday.

I think there are sadly so many different factors contributing to this polarization. Surely social media is part of it, in an always-on digital realm where we are expected to know everything and have the "right" opinion (and knowledge) about everything. It's impossible.

Plus, there have been some world-changing events since then, such as 9/11, the recession of 2008, the Black Lives Matter movement and the election of Donald Trump, Covid, and so on.

I think people tend more towards extremes when they are having a hard time; perhaps trying to compensate for something they feel is lost or lacking. People are so obsessed with being "good" these days, since the emergent social justice movements have fostered a culture of "canceling" that wholly invalidates and dismisses people if they possess a single wrong belief or make any mistakes. It's too much pressure. That's my theory, at least!

Thanks again for sharing this!