Alexandra,
To begin, I COMPLETELY agree with you about upping our education on civics.  Sometimes, what I see from "man on the street" interviews of everyday people is downright scary: people who can't answer questions like "how many states comprise the US," or how many branches of government do we have," etc...                     I too think that if more people understood, more would and should vote.  

I also agree that there is much on which most agree, and I really DO think that's the right place to start in healing wounds and working together.

What I worry about, especially when I see the "news" and punditry, on TV and the media in general, is that while we may talk to each other a lot, I'm not sure I hear much listening.  I do hope I'm wrong, but...

As to our history, that too would be another area I'd love to see more people dig into.  It's fascinating.  No question about politics being bloody, bare knuckle battles at times.  But there's so much more as well...

Thanks
mo