Polarization - idiots and hatred

This country has become insanely polarized. I thought it was bad under Reagan/Bush I, took off under Clinton, and got even worse under Bush II. Now, it seems to be at an all-time high.

As a libertarian and generally agreeable kind of person, I've befriended people with just about every point of view. I've been exposed to the general philosophies of most sides. Some I understand a little more than others, but I believe I get the gist of most points of view.

Contrary to the rhetoric, nearly all people I've talked to (that are at least somewhat educated about the issues) are NOT idiots. They're not Nazis, anti-American, racists, homophobes, anti-capitalist, anti-liberty, crusaders, anti-God, etc., etc., etc. They simply may just have different opinions than you. Yes, most of these people have a limited knowledge of the issues they are spewing about (including myself). It's nearly impossible to be well-educated about all of the various issues, but most people have a reasonable amount of intelligence and common sense.

Where people tend to differ is:

1) Base assumptions
2) The people they associate with
3) The information they read, watch, and listen to

Base Assumptions

Believing that government is good/bad or a solution/problem makes a big difference. Government has grown massively over the last century. Viewing this as a good or bad thing has seemed to divide the country at a pace similar to the growth.

Peers

We all like being around people that are like us. It's natural. It can be anything from religion to politics to skin color. Homogeny creates a reinforcement of your own thoughts and ways. However, it can limit the thought process. It can create a mob mentality of "we're right" when discussing issues. How can anybody think differently? All of these people around me all agree, so therefore it is valid.

Information

Gathering information is how we reinforce what we think. We look it up, watch a documentary, read a book, watch the news. The only problem is that things like "the news" are not what they used to be. Most forms of information media are now entertainment masquerading as fact. What's even worse is that a lot of "news" now comes in the form of opinion-based TV shows, radio programs, and bloggers. Just like with our peers, we surround ourselves with information sources that are similar to our views.

Just remember that the media is too often trying to entertain, not educate, you. They're looking for market share. Even if the hosts are true to their beliefs, the people employing them are looking for market share and hiring people to entertain. What gets market share? It's things that are enticing to read/listen/watch.

Now people are getting their "facts" from sources that not only sensationalizes and reinforces singular tendencies, but then points to the other people and calls them all kinds of names. People start believing it because the person makes a lot of sense on other things.

Their peers do the same and this infomation is shared among the group. It is resetting some base assumptions and these are being passed to their children.

This is polarized America and it doesn't look like it will get better any time soon.