Why can't democrats and republicans get along?

I identify as mostly liberal with a strong conservative streak (maybe even core), but I don't identify with a party. I'm able to get along with both sides, but I can't get along with ANYBODY who dislikes others instantly because of party affiliation. But that's something you wouldn't know about someone until you've discussed politics with them, and I don't do that until I'm already a little friendly with them.

I honestly don't get it. It's the main reason that they're known as the "do-nothing" congress. Very few are willing to cross the aisle and the ones that do are often criticized, or in the case of Lieberman, actively punished. Most don't even PRETEND they want to work together. I saw an article today on some jerk in South Carolina, Katon Dawson, who said he plans to be Obama's "worst nightmare". Yeah, that's the kind of attitude we need in our government. Of course it's no different than they way Nanci Pelosi and Barney Frank among others behaved towards Bush. We need to stop electing morons like this who collect paychecks for ruining our country.

There comes a time when what comes to mind all the harm caused by ruthless greed. The selfish need to control the efforts of good hard working people who only wish to make a good life for their family. If that value and trust is betrayed, if the inheritance is tossed to a cousin and the husband is not consulted or cared about enough to see that the effort to survive will be beyond compare because the thieves and mind manipulators are going to spin everything out of control. It becomes very clear that the foundation of the two party system is broken and there is no amount of glue or cement that can fill in the gaping divide between one and the other as they consistently grow further apart, pity the children that have to live in such a dysfunctional environment... The leadership that drove a wedge into the family structure is ultimately at fault.

You've reminded me of the "fruitcake" incident from a few years back. Took me a bit to find, but here it is for any who have forgotten or hadn't heard of it. http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/07/18/house.disarray/index.html In the ensuing years I've come to realize they are all fruitcakes.

The nreason why they can not get along is because there is a difference between conservatives and liberals. Why should one side or the other compromise their values to "get things done". If common ground is reached it should be at no ones values being compromised.

the answer is simple, they have different interests, and they don't want to mix their opinions with others.