Being combatitive with them, deserved or not, will result in them being combatitive right back. Being gracious when they admit they aren’t on the right track might mean they’ll be more open to listening next time around. And, more importantly, it might mean being able to solve this current issue.
You’re right that it’s bigger than the next 4 years. But it’s bigger than the GOP, too. It’s the latest iteration of a conflict that’s been going on probably since before recorded history: some people want to control and rule everyone else, some are OK with it (or even support it), some want to prevent those people from gaining control and seek that power to keep it out of their hands (and in many cases end up becoming what they wanted to avoid), and others just want to be left alone to do their own thing (which might not hurt anyone or might make life worse for anyone around them). I don’t see any end to this struggle, the only thing that changes is who has power right now and how hot is the conflict.
Being combatitive with them, deserved or not, will result in them being combatitive right back. Being gracious when they admit they aren’t on the right track might mean they’ll be more open to listening next time around. And, more importantly, it might mean being able to solve this current issue.
You’re right that it’s bigger than the next 4 years. But it’s bigger than the GOP, too. It’s the latest iteration of a conflict that’s been going on probably since before recorded history: some people want to control and rule everyone else, some are OK with it (or even support it), some want to prevent those people from gaining control and seek that power to keep it out of their hands (and in many cases end up becoming what they wanted to avoid), and others just want to be left alone to do their own thing (which might not hurt anyone or might make life worse for anyone around them). I don’t see any end to this struggle, the only thing that changes is who has power right now and how hot is the conflict.