There's that saying that that liberalism is a mental disorder. That's not quite right, but I think leftism largely is, and the leftist mindset is pretty fucking damaged.

Agreed. Unfortunately, liberalism - for all that I am a liberal - does fall victim to a leftie ideology specifically designed to infiltrate and destroy liberal ideologies and then wear them like some kind of skinsuit trophy.

I'd be happy to reach some sort of actual compromise with leftists

Also agreed, unfortunately, the only kind of "compromise" lefties seem to acknowledge is the one where you're dead, your children are gay and they're dancing on your grave. A lot of lefties simply do not seem to know how to de-escalate - it's not a skill the leftie ideology prizes - instead preferring to escalate until it reaches the level that involves the authorities, who will always come down on their side.