Descent into extremism

In response to Leonard Pitts’ Feb. 20 column (“U.S. divided between ignorant and informed”): Divide? Is he sure?

Picture liberal/conservative as a continuum. At its center, are those respondents in the Pew Research Center 2015 study cited by Pitts not identifying with either ideology. They recognize the legitimate strengths and weaknesses of both ideologies and are able to draw from each in forming their own world view.

Moving left or right to include perhaps 30 percent of those identifying with each ideology, they will be increasingly enamored with the strengths of their position and dismissive of its weaknesses, but the combined 60 percent can still engage in civil discourse and reach consensus.

Moving left or right from 30 percent to 40 percent introduces dogmatism. Including this combined 20 percent with the 60 percent raises the temperature of the debate and lengthens discussion, but consensus can usually still be reached.

Moving from 40 percent to 50 percent is a descent into extremism and intolerance, not only of opponents, but of misguided and less-committed colleagues. This combined 20 percent will violently oppose any consensus reached by the 80 percent and is responsible for the protests and counter-protests feeding the perception that there is a deep divide in our country that cannot be bridged.

This transcends information and ignorance. It is intellectual terrorism.

Harold Dixon

Spokane