There are conservatives and there are liberals. Conservatives run from fanatical, 1, to moderate, 5; and liberals run from 6, moderate, to 10, fanatical.

1’s and 10’s want to kill each other, and often don’t care if any of the 2’s through 9’s are collateral damage. They are a very small, but very impactful group.

2’s and 9’s support 1’s and 10’s. They are a scary, deceitful and cowardly bunch. These are the financiers, anonymous callers, and silent partners. They are guilty of the same heinous acts of their counterparts one step to the left, and one step to the right. They just aren’t bloodied and dirty.

Then there are the 3’s and 8’s. They share principles of their outside brethren but don’t approve of their methods. They vary between vocal opposition, and passive aggression. You know them from Facebook, and often block them when they get on their stump about how they feel – nauseated by the support from ‘thumbs up’ acolytes. 3’s want nothing to do with 8’s, and 8’s have no problem with that.

4’s and 7’s sometimes socialize and are generally tolerant of each other. They don’t often agree, but have a level of common ground. They are Penguin, Islander, and Ranger fans attending their team’s game at the Verizon Center against the Washington Capitals (sorry Philly, you guys are 8’s). Sure, some get drunk and stupid on both sides, and sometimes, but rarely, does anyone get hurt. They often share a beer and toast the victor – and if they lost, vow to be on the other side next time. Their greatest value however, is that 4’s can talk to 3’s, and 7’s can talk to 8’s.

5’s and 6’s get along just fine. At times, it is difficult to discern the 5 from the 6. They are amicable, reasonable, and considerate. They share the philosophy of the golden rule, and it is evident in how they treat each other. 5’s and 6’s connect easily to 4’s and 7’s, and as a result can transfer their ideas to 3’s and 8’s. The influence can also work the other way. It is rare when influence extends beyond your next closest partner. The outside fringes are virtually impossible to reach.

Unfortunately, 5’s and 6’s are becoming extinct. In Congress, in social media – in any media for that matter – the 5’s and 6’s have virtually disappeared.

Secure Congressional seats, via lack of term limits and gerrymandering have ensured that this will continue. Tea Party conservatives and Social Program liberals have no need to cooperate, collaborate, or compromise. Our representation is a vitriolic bunch of 3’s and 8’s – they don’t recognize what they have in common – and those that can explain it to them are hard to find.