I would argue that by befriending and bonding with your conservative coworker over shared ideas, you are doing a great service to your country. You are talking

I would argue that by befriending and bonding with your conservative coworker over shared ideas, you are doing a great service to your country. You are talking to someone that disagrees with you, finding common ground, and co-existing in peace. That's all that's required for democratic government to function properly. The problem is that many people on both the left and the right refuse to do their duty in this regard and instead choose to vilify and hate their opponents.