Neither you, I, nor ANYBODY is responsible for "collectively".

Unfortunately, without some political flag to wave and somebody to hate, some folks don't even HAVE an "individually".

I believe it's best if I stop judging my own behavior in the context of what Other People do. I have friends who are conservatives and are a whole lot kinder than some of those whom conservatives label "bleeding heart liberals".

There are people who seem to define themselves by whom and what they hate, and it doesn't much matter what side they're on. If you treat people like pawns, you aren't fun to be around.

Kendall, I don't believe Deb is talking about politics or political parties. I believe she's speaking to us as individuals. If we can't even see ourselves as whole apart from our affiliations, then we aren't competent to make decisions about right or wrong, good or bad. If we have to rely on a group to tell us who we like or who we hate, we are worse off than sheep, who at least mostly behave as a herd and not factions of a herd.

If you wish to protest that your thoughts are yours and not some group's, give the other guys the benefit of the doubt too. When you get down to who you're gonna help when they fall or who you're gonna kick, there is no "them". There are only individuals with name,s and people who love them.