"Live long and prosper"

From Op-Ed: The source of America’s political polarization? It’s us
by James E. Campbell, June 30, 2016:

Deep polarization is a fact of American political life in the 21st century, but our debates need not stay so overheated. What would dial it down? Giving Americans — left, right and center — what they have always wanted: peace and prosperity. They have gone without these for too long. Turmoil is too common, and our post-recession economy has sputtered to grow at barely 2% a year. Robust economic growth and domestic tranquility would not erase our ideological differences, but a less stressed-out nation might be better able to cope with them.

Campbell's solution to the problem of polarization:

• "peace and prosperity"
• "Robust economic growth"

I'm good with that.

Campbell says "a less stressed-out nation might be better able to cope" with our ideological differences. Certainly I agree. But certainly also, the troubles arising from economic decline magnify the significance of our differences. Economic decline increases polarization. 

Not only will prosperity make our differences easier to cope with; it will also make our lives satisfying again. When our lives are satisfying, we will find we have fewer differences and fewer reasons to be polarized.

Live long and prosper.