The New York Times had a chart that accompanied its story and headline. Impeachment is a high priority issue for both parties. That was demonstrated by sophisticated poling techniques that would yield an analysis like: “roughly 45% of Republicans are likely to choose a basket of policies if it includes their preferred position on impeachment. (88% of Republicans with an opinion oppose impeachment of the President).
The chart is interesting. Without President Trump, with a different dynamic, there appear to be areas on which Democrats and Republicans could find compromises. Not a lot of things. Enough so that we could live in a different world.
Try taxes. Over 80% of Republicans agree there should be cuts in taxes for people earning less than $100,000 per year. It is not their highest priority, though. About 18% think it is among the most important issues. Almost 70% of Democrats agree that taxes should be raised for people earning more than $250,000 per year. It is not their highest priority. About 20% think it is among the most important issue. Could you get Republicans and Democrats to agree to increase taxes on people earning over $250,000 and reduce them for people earning less than $100,000 per year?
Or the Dreamers. Almost 70% of Republicans agree that the Dreamers should have a path to citizenship. It is an important issue to more than 20% of the Republicans. More than 90 % of Democrats agree that the Dreamers should have a path to citizenship. It is important to them, too. More than 30% of the Democrats think this is an important issue. With different presidential leadership, you could you get an agreement on a path to citizenship for Dreamers.
And guns. That almost 90% of Republicans agree that guns should not be banned and this is an important issue for 40% of them still leaves room for an agreement. 90% of Republicans believe there should be universal background checks for the purchase of guns and more than 20% think it is an important issue. 95% of Democrats believe there should be universal background checks for the purchase of guns and 25% think it is an important issue. Despite areas of agreement legislation mighjt founder on the meaning of universal (Can I give my son one of my guns?), but this is a hopeful area for finding an agreement.
Look to the future. Get a few areas of agreement, who knows what could happen.