Progressives need to listen to more than themselves if they realistically want to contribute to a political discussion.

One of my progressive friends told me recently that we should be suspicious of any Democrat who had Republican friends on their Facebook page. I took it tongue-in-cheek but it does speak to a problem that some of us have quietly talked about over the past few election cycles.

First off, I have conservative and Republican Facebook friends—and I’m proud to call them friends.

I listen to what they have to say because I think they have a voice worth considering.

I’m also in several Tea Party groups for the same reason. And, it’s not that I believe everything they say—certainly not the Obama bashing—but I think it’s important to understand their mindset and why they believe what they do.

A CBS/NYT poll conducted in 2012 tells a bigger story of where we are collectively. If you factor out political ideology over 95% of Americas want the same thing for themselves and their family. We all want to live in peace and safety, to educate our children in the best ways possible; we want our children to have a better life than we had growing up—and we all want to have something to show for our hard work and efforts.

So, if we all want the same things—then we should be able to see a clear path to victory. But, all so often we don’t. Why?

When we factor in our political ideology—with the assumption that we’re right and everyone else is wrong—we hit wall after wall of sometimes mean spirited argument and we become bitter. That bitterness bleeds over into social media like Facebook and Twitter in a very negative way and too often it gets out of hand.

When that happens, people of like minds circle the wagons and rhetoric is taken to a new level.

None of this, mind you, is good for dialog and communication between those we don’t necessarily agree with.

The more we actually talk to each other—without trying to belittle the other—the more we can actually get accomplished.

Progressives are not right about everything and conservatives aren’t either for that matter. It takes (or should take) all of us to come together to make a positive difference in the way we live.

We have some major issues in North Carolina—as well as the country overall. I’d like to think we could find a happy middle ground and start a meaningful conversation—both within the Democrat Party and outside of it.

So, yes, I’m keeping my Republican and Tea Party friends—even though I don’t agree with all they say—because I need to hear them and understand where they’re coming from.

And, on a more political note—I like seeing our Democratic candidates have more than one “kind” of friend on these social network sites. Often, the conversations get out of hand and people get blocked—but I at least like seeing them make an effort.

Peace out! Happy 2015