"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

George Santayana

Running to the polar extremes seems to be the order of the day in politics and other societal matters. We all bemoan the ability to get to good public policy because the people we choose are so locked into their positions that compromise and sometimes even conversation is impossible. Gone are the days of Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neil, who disagreed on political philosophy, but remained friends and found room to move public policy forward. When we refuse to even talk to one another (or talk past each other), we jeopardize our ability to move forward and influence one another in beneficial ways. We're talking only to those who agree with us, and it's a pretty sure bet there are plenty of others who don't who are doing the same thing. Our two largest trade associations seem to be busy doing that too.