Wonderful essay!  Understanding where everyone is coming from, helps us to empathize.  Empathy is something I admit I have had a hard time mustering during this election season.  

Several years ago I became a regular poster on web-site based "Abortion Debate" board.  I went there as a pro-lifer and after several years left as a pro-choice/pro-life supporter. Yes, I believe you can be both, after my experience talking and debating the subject of abortion with hardcore pro-choice, some might even call pro-abortion, contributors to the debate.  What I came away with was recognizing the "fear" factor many of the pro-choice contributors expressed.  Mainly, the fear of not being in control.  The fear of losing ones rights as a woman. I realized you cannot change hearts if you are being perceived as someone who is "attacking".  I have come to this realization, also, on the guns debate issue. As a Christian, it is more important to be open minded, see others struggles, change hearts.