The fundamental problem is that in order for public discourse to be an effective way to build consensus and discover truth, you need to (1) have an educated population and (2) you need to not have much stronger tribal ties than you do ties to nation/humanity/somesuch.

The United States has been failing at both--not so badly for the entire endeavor to fail, but enough to put it in jeopardy.

Again, I don't think a level playing field is necessary--just one that is not so tilted for the outcome to be foregone. And again, I think the solution is just to, well, play on the field. Play hard--make good arguments, don't put up with nonsense from anyone, your supposedly "own side" included.