Why?

I don't understand why the left should bother attempting to engage those who are absolutist in their thought processes. More specifically, why is the burden upon liberals to seek out right wingers, read their blogs, and talk with them? Why is the burden not on the right to seek out left wingers, read our blogs, and talk with us in the hope of greater understanding?

If you read the responses to the your posts, 90 percent of the right's reaction to you is ad hominem attacks. While not quoting directly, you were called things like "brainwashed", "confused", or a liar. Sure we need to know their arguments so we can properly attack those arguments, but that presupposes that political discourse in this country is anywhere near a rational debate.