NY Times editorial: "Compromise is not a 4-letter word"

[wmw999 2,123]

Link here

I really enjoyed this editorial. It's opinion, but one that has some value. We do value compromise everywhere except for in politics -- why shouldn't it also be important in politics?

Quote

By Thomas Friedman
FORMER SENATOR ALAN SIMPSON likes to say that if you can’t learn to compromise on issues without compromising yourself, you should not be in Congress, be in business or get married. It is amazing how many people violate that rule, but especially in Congress and especially among the Tea Party types, where calling someone a “deal maker” is now the ultimate put down. What makes it crazier is that in American education, innovation and commerce today, “collaboration” is being taught and rewarded as the best way to do anything big, important and complex. Indeed, in Silicon Valley, a “collaborator” means someone with whom you’re building something great. In D.C., it means someone committing political treason by working with the other party. And that is why Silicon Valley is now the turbo-engine of our economy and D.C. is the dead hand.

To be sure, in politics compromise is not a virtue in and of itself. There are questions of true principle — civil rights, for instance — where compromise might kill the principled choice. But there has been an inflation of “principles” lately that is inhibiting compromise. A certain tax rate or retirement age is not a principle. It’s an interest that needs to be balanced against others. Today, we would be best served in meeting our biggest challenges by adopting a hybrid of the best ideas of left and right — and the fact that we can’t is sapping our strength.

For instance, on the debt/spending issue, Congress should be borrowing money at these unusually low rates to invest in a 10-year upgrade of our crumbling infrastructure (roads, bridges, telecom, ports, airports and rail lines) and in a huge funding increase for our national laboratories, research universities and institutes of health, which are the gardens for so many start-ups. Together, such an investment would stimulate sustained employment, innovation and the wealth creation to pay for it.

But this near-term investment should be paired with long-term entitlement reductions, defense cuts and tax reform that would be phased in gradually as the economy improves, so we do not add to the already heavy fiscal burden on our children, deprive them of future investment resources or leave our economy vulnerable to unforeseen shocks, future recessions or the stresses that are sure to come when all the baby boomers retire. President Obama has favored such a hybrid, but it was shot down by the Tea Party wing, before we could see if he could really sell it to his base.

We should exploit our new natural gas bounty, but only by pairing it with the highest environmental extraction rules and a national, steadily rising, renewable energy portfolio standard that would ensure that natural gas replaces coal — not solar, wind or other renewables. That way shale gas becomes a bridge to a cleaner energy future, not just an addiction to a less dirty, climate-destabilizing fossil fuel.

In some cities, teachers’ unions really are holding up education reform. But we need to stop blaming teachers alone. We also have a parent problem: parents who do not take an interest in their children’s schooling or set high standards. And we have a student problem: students who do not understand the connection between their skills and their life opportunities and are unwilling to work to today’s global standards. Reform requires a hybrid of both teacher reform and a sustained — not just one speech — national campaign to challenge parents and create a culture of respect and excitement for learning. Obama has failed to use his unique bully pulpit to lead such a campaign.

Finally, the merger of globalization and the information-technology revolution has shrunk the basis of the old middle class — the high-wage, middle-skilled job. Increasingly, there are only high-wage, high-skilled jobs. This merger of globalization and I.T. has put capitalism — and its core engine of creative destruction — on steroids. That’s why Republicans are wrong when they oppose raising minimum wages and expanding national health care. These kinds of social safety nets make the free market possible; otherwise people won’t put up with creative destruction on steroids.

But it is capitalism, start-ups, risk-taking and entrepreneurship that make these safety nets affordable, which is why we need more tax incentives for start-ups, the substitutions of carbon taxes for payroll and corporate taxes, and more cuts to regulations that burden business. Unfortunately, promotion of risk-taking and risk-takers is disappearing from the Democratic Party agenda. Its energy and excitement is focused much more today on wealth redistribution than wealth creation. On immigration, Senate Democrats and Republicans forged a sensible hybrid solution, but Tea Partiers in the House are blocking it.

These hybrid solutions are not how to split the difference. They’re how to make a difference. But they only get forged if Republican leaders take on the Tea Party — which transformed the G.O.P. into a far-right party, uninterested in governing — and remake the G.O.P. into a center-right party again. If that happened, I’m certain that a second-term Obama, who is much more center-left than the ridiculous G.O.P. caricatures, would meet them in the middle. Absent that, we’re going to drift, unable to address effectively any of our biggest challenges or opportunities.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[rehmwa 2]

It's fluff at best, poorly camoflaged left wing suck up piece more likely.

He's pretty much stating what everybody says. "MY positions are great - everybody should compromise to agree with me"

even better - he throws out a few ideas and then conducts about a 95% one sided partisan attack with it. nice example of team playing

nothing special, move along


Compromise, collaberation - in industry that works because everyone has a common end vision......it doesn't work when the players have multiple visions that are dramatically at odds with each other.

The current status of "Right wing religious big brother in control of everything" vs "Left wing wacko big brother in control of everything" won't work. It certainly leaves the "individuals responsible for themselves" group terrified in the corner that either of the other two will really achieve their aims.





flavor of the piece - some excerpts below - catch the tone if you can (hint: he pretends to hack at both parties - the "high energy Dems and centered Obama, BTW Obama has a unique bully pulpit" as well as the "wrong, far right, uninterested caricatures transformed by today's whipping boy of a Tea Party)" Clearly, if only the right side of the aisle would straighten up, and let the 'oh so ready to lead' left take charge, then that "compromise" is what the country needs.


To be sure, in politics compromise is not a virtue in and of itself.

Congress should be borrowing money ..... to invest in a 10-year upgrade of our crumbling infrastructure

President Obama has favored such a hybrid,

We should exploit our new natural gas bounty,

renewable energy portfolio

Obama has failed to use his unique bully pulpit to lead such a campaign.

Republicans are wrong when they oppose raising minimum wages and expanding national health care.

Democratic Party agenda. Its energy and excitement

the G.O.P. into a far-right party, uninterested in governing —

Obama, who is much more center-left than the ridiculous G.O.P. caricatures,

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[winsor 186]

wmw999

Link here

I really enjoyed this editorial. It's opinion, but one that has some value. We do value compromise everywhere except for in politics -- why shouldn't it also be important in politics?

Wendy P.

We do not value compromise everywhere except in politics by any means. If you compromise your integrity or security you have none. A secret, once compromised, isn't.

In addition, collaboration was the basis for summary execution in parts of Europe and Asia as 1945 progressed, so that is not viewed favorably across the board, either.

Compromise in politics is akin to a motorcycle gang discussing true love with their intended object of affection. "Instead of the whole club pulling a train on you against your will, what say we compromise and you agree to take on the President and Sergeant at Arms willingly?"

In politics, compromise is sought either by sluts or whores. A prime example of the former is Bill Clinton, who would go to any length to be loved. For latter you have Bob Dole, who would always extract a price for participation.

Compromise is seen as a virtue by those who espouse the philosophy of "when rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it." Those whose standpoint is to kick, scream, claw and bite are thus viewed as uncooperative and unnecessarily difficult by those given to compromise.

Uncompromising is a virtue as much as being indiscriminate is a flaw.


BSBD,

Winsor

[wmw999 2,123]

True to both of those, but I know that my life is full of compromise in many areas, and far easier because of it.

When there are 300,000,000 people, there are going to be "uncompromisable standards" for someone in virtually every single area. With the internet, they can communicate that very publicly, as well.

Maybe the deal is that we don't necessarily differentiate between goals and means, or we don't value figuring out a goal that we can all value.

I disagree with both of you guys on a lot of things; OTOH, I'm sure that if we spent 5 minutes together, we'd find common ground that we could work towards. Which is better -- working towards that (possibly secondary) goal, or fighting each other on the goal that we think is primary? Maybe, just maybe, that primary goal becomes less important if there is common ground elsewhere.

I do value compromise. Not in everything, that's obvious, but with most people, I would far rather find a goal that I can work towards with them. The world is complex enough that getting something done that many can agree on is an improvement over simply arguing over something else.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[winsor 186]

wmw999

True to both of those, but I know that my life is full of compromise in many areas, and far easier because of it.

When there are 300,000,000 people, there are going to be "uncompromisable standards" for someone in virtually every single area. With the internet, they can communicate that very publicly, as well.

Maybe the deal is that we don't necessarily differentiate between goals and means, or we don't value figuring out a goal that we can all value.

I disagree with both of you guys on a lot of things; OTOH, I'm sure that if we spent 5 minutes together, we'd find common ground that we could work towards. Which is better -- working towards that (possibly secondary) goal, or fighting each other on the goal that we think is primary? Maybe, just maybe, that primary goal becomes less important if there is common ground elsewhere.

I do value compromise. Not in everything, that's obvious, but with most people, I would far rather find a goal that I can work towards with them. The world is complex enough that getting something done that many can agree on is an improvement over simply arguing over something else.

Wendy P.

Working toward common goals is cooperation, a win-win proposition.

Working at cross-purposes while trying to cut losses is compromise, a lose-lose scenario.

Cooperation good, compromise bad.

[wmw999 2,123]

Neither happens without the other. Sometimes it's just a matter of perception -- all it takes is one asshole who says "I'm not interested in 8-way unless we get matching Mirage rigs" and sticks to it, for it to turn into a compromise instead of a cooperation on building a 8-way team .

The mark of a good leader is getting enough of the people to find goals they have in common to bring the others along. And yeah, we don't really have one of those in Washington right now, and we haven't in a long time.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Kennedy 0]

While I agree with you in broad strokes, there's a problem with guys like him saying all compromise is good. He's lying, either to himself or to us.

OK, your position is that you should not be in prison. My position is that you should serve 25 to life. Let's compromise. I'm sure we can reach a mutually acceptable compromise.

Oh, and whatever time of incarceration we agree on you serving, the day you get out, I'm going to want to talk to you again and reach a new compromise about how much more time you should serve. Compromise is great, huh?

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[wmw999 2,123]

Oh, I"d totally agree that all compromise isn't good .

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[turtlespeed 212]

wmw999

Oh, I"d totally agree that all compromise isn't good .

Wendy P.

Compromise like -" you have to pass it to see what is in it?"

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[DanG 1]

Quote

Compromise like -" you have to pass it to see what is in it?"

Get a dictionary.

(Weak troll, BTW, you can do better)

- Dan G

[rushmc 18]

DanG

Quote

Compromise like -" you have to pass it to see what is in it?"

Get a dictionary.

(Weak troll, BTW, you can do better)

History shows us well that compromise with the left means the right moves and the left does not

AND
To compromise there must be a middle ground to start with
The left is so far gone today that there is no middle

The extreme left positions may have a big effect on the midterms this year


BTW

If you think the left has not moved
Pull up a couple of President Kennedy's speaches
Very revealing

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[ianmdrennan 2]

Quote

AND
To compromise there must be a middle ground to start with
The left is so far gone today that there is no middle

ahahahahahahahahhaha. h hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

Thanks for this mornings entertainment. Knew I could count on you

But seriously, if you want to take a look at the real problem - stare in the mirror. You're as unbending as one can be. Don't think I've ever seen you do anything other than tow a party line.

Ian

Performance Designs Factory Team

[rushmc 18]

ianmdrennan

Quote

AND
To compromise there must be a middle ground to start with
The left is so far gone today that there is no middle

ahahahahahahahahhaha. h hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

Thanks for this mornings entertainment. Knew I could count on you

But seriously, if you want to take a look at the real problem - stare in the mirror. You're as unbending as one can be. Don't think I've ever seen you do anything other than tow a party line.

Ian

Give me a commone place to work toward and I am there

but

You will not be able to

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[kallend 1,625]

DanG

Quote

Compromise like -" you have to pass it to see what is in it?"

Get a dictionary.

(Weak troll, BTW, you can do better)

You flatter him.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[kallend 1,625]

rushmc

Give me a commone place to work toward and I am there

but

You will not be able to

How about working in a school for spelling, grammar and punctuation?

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[DanG 1]

Quote

Give me a commone place to work toward and I am there

but

You will not be able to

What is the GOP willing to compromise on?

One example will do.

- Dan G

[rushmc 18]

kallend

***

Give me a commone place to work toward and I am there

but

You will not be able to

How about working in a school for spelling, grammar and punctuation?

From the leftward land of sillyness

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[DanG 1]

Quote

From the leftward land of sillyness

That wasn't left or right, it was just Kallend being rude.

- Dan G

[rushmc 18]

DanG

Quote

Give me a commone place to work toward and I am there

but

You will not be able to

What is the GOP willing to compromise on?

One example will do.

How about the budget deal with Bill Clinton
You know
The one where spending cuts would come later?

Tell me sir
When did they kick in?

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[rushmc 18]

DanG

Quote

From the leftward land of sillyness

That wasn't left or right, it was just Kallend being rude.

You are correct
My bad
Point taken

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[DanG 1]

Quote

How about the budget deal with Bill Clinton

That was 20 years ago. They certainly aren't willing to compromise on budget issues (especialy revenue) today.

- Dan G

[SkyDekker 1,123]

rushmc

***

Quote

AND
To compromise there must be a middle ground to start with
The left is so far gone today that there is no middle

ahahahahahahahahhaha. h hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

Thanks for this mornings entertainment. Knew I could count on you

But seriously, if you want to take a look at the real problem - stare in the mirror. You're as unbending as one can be. Don't think I've ever seen you do anything other than tow a party line.

Ian

Give me a commone place to work toward and I am there

but

You will not be able to

Shouldn't the common goal be the wellbeing of the USA and its people?

[rushmc 18]

Unlimited debt ceiling agreement with obama in exchange obama agreed not to extend unemployment benefits

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[DanG 1]

Quote

Unlimited debt ceiling agreement with obama in exchange obama agreed not to extend unemployment benefits

I don't recall that being the deal.

- Dan G

[rushmc 18]

Of course you don't

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln