From what I've seen either a member puts up a Sandbox topic hoping it gets a good rational discussion or a troublemaker starts a Sandbox topic knowing it will cause trouble. It starts out OK and then a (liberal or conservative) troublemaker says something that pisses everyone off but doesn't quite break the rules. Then a (conservative or liberal) troublemaker makes a reply that pisses everyone off but doesn't quite break the rules. After a few of these back and forth some white knight picks up the (liberal or conservative) banner and charges into the fray to protect the (liberal or conservative) honor. Then some some white knight picks up the (conservative or liberal) banner, accepts the challenge and charges into the fray. Then I have to start dealing out points - almost always to the white knights rather than the troublemakers.
Does that seem right to you? Do you really like to be manipulated by the troublemakers like that? It would make me feel very foolish. Think about it.