I don't have contempt for them because they don't share my viewpoint, I have contempt for them because they decided to follow a hate-filled, violent, and oppressive ideology that they want to enforce on anyone they view as an other. Not to mention the complete lack of intellectualism in conservative circles. The de facto Speaker of the House is a conservative who believes in Jewish space lasers.

We can disagree on trade policy and still have respect for one another. When people have the same fundamental values they can disagree on lots of things.

We're past the point where we need to 'promote unity'. Anyone freedom loving American needs to fight to protect their ability to live in peace.

That's your opinion, but a) I would contend that you've also been influenced by the content algorithms and echo chamber effects as mentioned above. Are there right wing extremists who exhibit all sorts of contemptible behaviors? Of course there are. Is that the average conservative? No, no it is not. b) You mention them wanting to enforce their ideology on others, but I'd wager they feel the same thing is being done successfully to them. c) You advocate to "fight to protect [your] ability to live in peace." If that doesn't involve finding common ground, then what exactly does it mean?

This whole idea that it's OK to hate people because because they hold some particular belief leads nowhere good. And in particular, the claim that it's OK to hate them because you perceive them to be hateful is so fundamentally hypocritical it would be comical if it weren't so counterproductive.

>Are there right wing extremists who exhibit all sorts of contemptible behaviors? Of course there are. Is that the average conservative? No, no it is not

All conservatives are right-wing extremists at this point.

> You mention them wanting to enforce their ideology on others, but I'd wager they feel the same thing is being done successfully to them

Yes, because they are extremely ignorant and cannot understand that losing their ability to oppress others is not, in itself oppression.

>You advocate to "fight to protect [your] ability to live in peace." If that doesn't involve finding common ground, then what exactly does it mean?

For me it means fixing our electoral system so that a violent tyrannical minority can't impose their violent ideology on the moral majority of Americans.

>This whole idea that it's OK to hate people because because they hold some particular belief leads nowhere good.

Bruh, these people want to make it illegal for me to exist. This 'we need to understand rural white grievance' nonsense is so played out.

> And in particular, the claim that it's OK to hate them because you perceive them to be hateful is so fundamentally hypocritical it would be comical if it weren't so counterproductive.

I don't perceive them to be hateful, they are hateful violent people. This dumb paradox of tolerance stuff you are pushing is very freshman year of college.