How did the Left and Right become so extreme

Both didn't become extreme. The Republican Party did.............but not both. This is the Republican platform when Eisenhower ran for office in the 1950's. Back then both parties almost agreed on everything. They worked across the aisle to accomplish good for Americans. If you look at this platform you will see these are the things that the Dems want most for All Americans STILL............while Republicans would rather die now that hold to ANY of these goals for us. Read this and decide which party has gone so completely radical now they are no longer recognizable as the Republican party that used to be.