Pro-life/pro-choice.
Young earth creationist/believe in evolution.
Homophobic/non-homophobic.
Support the War on Drugs/support legalization.
Pro-youth rights/think kids should be locked up till they’re 18.
Believe in forced government schooling/free to home school, unschool.
Tea Party supporter/OWS.

There are so many different views on so many different issues. How much freedom should people have? How much authority over people should the state have?

What I would dearly love would be an avenue for supporters of different viewpoints to come to the table and have a civil debate, where each person gets to say their piece, then politely refute the other’s all without resorting to ad hominem attacks.

Perhaps a debate TV show where real issues like the War on Drugs are debated by supporters of both sides, allowing the audience to decide for themselves, or perhaps an impartially moderated online forum where users could state their beliefs politely, without fear of reprisal, except of course in the form of a debate.

Would such a thing even be possible in the 21st century world, especially in the USA? Do such things exist elsewhere in the world?

Perhaps if supporters of each side of an argument could just sit down and talk things out, we could have a meeting of the minds and come to some mutual understanding.