Ultimately when we don't have reasonable dialogue, we do a disservice to our nation's children, because in the end failed understandings lead to failing solutions.
Perhaps Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert could lead the effort to bring politics and campaigning into an atmosphere of disagreement without having to be disagreeable in the process.
Before you tell me to get a life and loosen up a bit, step back and think about the last time you laughed and whom or what was the target of your laughter.
Religious people should look at ourselves to make sure that our own behavior fits sane standards of productive engagement with the "other" and represents a profound search of the best wisdom our traditions have to offer.