Part of the problem is that right-wing propaganda has overtaken this country.
Serious public debates or discussions have to start from a place of constantly correcting the lies and misinformation, disinformation, propaganda and distortions that emanate from the right-wing swamp on a constant basis.
YES, the left has a similar yet INFINITELY small problem with this and I would argue that their "propaganda" is within what should be a normal public discourse.
What should be a public discourse on issues, a debate between liberal and conservative views has to start with and expend most of its energy on refuting the constant pile of BS coming from the right.
There are, without a doubt, legitimate positions that conservatives hold and can and should be honestly considered. But when the starting position for ANY topic is the lie of the day by President Piggy or the dishonest propaganda spewed by Fox or OANN or a host of right wing "influencers" combined with the confusion of "news" and "opinion" that is a recipe for disaster and the destruction of journalism.
At best left leaning news organizations must be louder to become part of the discourse, louder being more extreme or more "edgy" to get clicks.
It is difficult to have a public discourse when basic reality is not agreed upon. Right-wing media and the neo fascist republican party has successfully called into question actual reality (at least for a substantial portion of the populace).
And it is extremely corrosive. I have otherwise practical and intelligent people posting memes about celebrities eating ------- babies and when called out about it say "Maybe, anything is possible" No, it is not possible. When average Americans lack the critical thinking skills that is a problem.
Rupert Murdoch's fault. Seriously.