Do the right and the left in the US see that their argument is pretty petty?

When in the course of debates it becomes personally insulting, demeaning to ones character or some other factor unrelated to politics, arguments then become petty. It is acceptable to debate issues on their merits. It is unacceptable to inject personal slurs and defamatory insults, otherwise. I agree with you that compromise must return to DC to get things accomplished. The same old techniques, attitudes, and ways just are unacceptable to the American electorate now.