What can keep you sane is understanding that if the country is divided roughly 50/50 between two factions, that both comprise our friends, colleagues, neighbors, and families, and that neither faction is either stupid or wicked. Most people want the best for their country, though they may differ as to what that is or how it may be achieved. It's a profound error to demonize those who disagree with you and begin to hate them. Hate is always wrong, because the stereotypes that occasion hate are always wrong. It also helps to remember the difference between what people say and what they do, a difference that is no where so keenly felt or more decisive than in politics. Millions of people believe what politicians say - that you can get something for nothing, that Americans belonging to other factions are solely responsible for the nation's problems, that all is rosy (incumbents) or all is ruined (aspirants), that there are easy solutions to complex problems, etc. - without asking what they would do. The greatest threat is that die-hard factionalists will actually harm the country rather than see it prosper under their opponents. It does make a great difference who wins elections, but usually not for the reasons that the politicians advertize. The real social and economic allegiances of politicians can often be learned only through careful analysis of their actions. Most of the hatred and frenzy of this election year may be attributed to gullible people responding to the candidates' marketing images rather than their actual priorities.