I can't tell if this comment is aimed at reds or blues...
Both sides are guilty of not being nice to the otherside, and calling them scum. That seems to be the problem right now, we've stopped listening to each other.
In an attempt to try to listen: what I read from this in response to "be nice to people different from you, otherwise you're a scum":
"I believe our differences are merely political , and that I should not suffer any opprobrium for my political positions. If I do suffer insults for my positions, that intolerance is problematic".
I generally agree with your view that we should not be vilifying each other over political differences. The disconnect, I think, comes from one side asserting that all positions are merely political, and therefore up for debate, while the other feels that some positions are beyond reproach. An alternative of the above then becomes:
"I believe acceptance/rejection of $OUTGROUP is a mere political difference, and that I should not suffer any opprobrium for my rejection of the outgroup, or my political support of platforms that include rejection of $OUTGROUP as an explicit or implicit plank. If I do suffer insults for my position, it's that intolerance that's the problem, not my merely political views on $OUTGROUP".
which feels less generous to write, but closer to how I read it.
Both sides are guilty of not being nice to the otherside, and calling them scum. That seems to be the problem right now, we've stopped listening to each other.