The "Art" of Compromise

Usually, compromise is a good thing, especially in relationships and politics I would say. It is the device that keeps the pendulum swinging back and forth. I give a little, you give a little and for the most part we spend most our time in the middle, on common ground. It is the gravity of the sun that keeps the earth from flying out of constant orbit and rotation. I regulate your extreme thoughts, you regulate mine and almost always we keep each other from traveling completely off course.

But is it possible that compromise isn't an art at all, but a technique we have created to prevent ourselves from getting shot on the Senate floor? A technique that sometimes limits us from achieving any real progress? The Democrats wanted to pull troops out of Iraq altogether, the Republicans wanted to create a military surge to go in full force and get it done. They compromised by sending in a few combatants and the war basically came to a standstill. There are too few men to make any real advancement and there are enough that some have died trying. A man wants to get married; the girl feels she is too young and wants too keep her options open. They compromise and become exclusive. Neither is happy: one can't have the wife he loves and the other is not as free as she wishes to be. The Democrats wanted to pass a huge stimulus bill; the Republicans wanted to give America tax cuts. They compromised and passed a stimulus that was cut by millions of dollars. We are left with a package that is so diluted that it will be unable to shed any light within the economic crisis. A Husband is unhappy in his marriage and seeks a divorce. The wife is dearly in love and doesn't want to loose his companionship. They compromise and get a separation. The man remains unhappy unable to pursue those who might lift his spirits, and the woman is grieved by her somewhat incomplete loss while struggling to pick up the pieces.

Sometimes (only sometimes) in place of compromise, we should relinquish our own pursuits. I am guessing that we may find that our opposition's end may produce better results than our stubborn unwillingness to acquiesce.