Don't Give in so Easily

The other day I was watching "The Five" (a panel show on Foxnews). I do not normally watch the show but Faye likes it for some reason and what Faye likes, we watch. I am only the king of this castle when she permits it.

One of the subjects (they cover a number of them on each show) was this "national dialogue on race" that is often mentioned by some pols and any number of individuals who do not hold office but who manage to get a lot of publicity. Greg Gutfeld, one of the panelists, said something of interest, something I agreed with...

I will paraphrase:
"Dialogue too often means 'you must agree with me'"

We could also substitute "Compromise" for "Dialogue" without altering any other word. When politicians of one political party complain that politicians won't compromise, they really mean "the other side won't go along with our side."

While this appears to be a viable political tactic, it ignores the entire foundation for our systems of government and justice, and (perhaps) our way of life. We are a contentious people. It is our culture. From the beginnings of this nation, well before it was a nation, we were contentious. We were initially populated by people who didn't get along with the majority back in England... and elsewhere. We took the people who were unhappy with their homelands. So unhappy that they were willing to give up everything to take a chance on building a life in what was, essentially, a wilderness.

The government of this country is based on adversarial exchange. One side proposes, the other opposes. It is this way in life, is it not? Your associates have ideas. if you agree with those ideas, you support them. If you disagree, you oppose them. Compromise, among the average people, means you give up some things (short of core principles) to get the things you want. We call it "negotiating" and often do not even realize it is compromising.

But I want politicians to oppose each other. I do not want them to compromise too much. I especially do not want them to even think that is why they were sent to government. I don't want to compromise on my choice for elected office and I don't want that person to go to my legislature or to Congress and give up anything to get anything in return. I want them to stand on principle, I want them to oppose new laws, oppose new regulations, and oppose new taxes. And I want them to stick to their guns until the votes on these things and vote as I would vote.

I am willing to accept the outcome.


 This does not mean that they cannot compromise from time to time. It means that they should not walk into those halls with the idea that they must give ground to get anything done. There will be times that each side must give ground. The best compromise is one in which each side truly thinks they lost. But most compromises cause more problems down the road than they prevent or resolve.

Argue your point, forget about the next election and your chances in it, just believe in your position and present your case... and accept the outcome.

That's real dialogue.