com·pro·mise

? ?[kom-pruh-mahyz]  Show IPAnoun, verb, -mised, -mis·ing.

–noun

1.

a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; anagreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposingclaims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification ofdemands.

2.

the result of such a settlement.

3.

something intermediate between different things: The split-level is a compromise between a ranch house and amultistoried house.

4. an endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger,suspicion, etc.: a compromise of one’s integrity.

My question is when did we as a country decide that we cannot compromise? Our form of government was designed to work with compromise, and, as we can see, it shuts down without it. We are about to shut down our government because we cannot come to agreement on what money to spend on what. Our country is basically divided 50/50 when we vote, which shouldn’t be an issue as long as we can compromise and come up with solutions that work equally well for both sides.

I believe we have conditioned generation after generation that only the Winner matters. Too many people feel that if they don’t get everything the want, then they have lost completely. People in general are adversarial to the point that they will give no quarter. We are going to have no running government rather than a government that fits everyone’s needs the best it can for today with the money available.

Special condition riders and local pork barrel interests should never be attached to important legislation for so many reasons, including the fact that they can prevent that legislation (like the budget) from being passed at all. Why should the Federal Government spend Federal money on something that only benefits a small portion of Americans? I’m talking about a rider that would provide 5,000 new jobs to build something like a bridge that benefits 100,000 people in one county in one state. That shouldn’t even be considered at a time when we cannot fund critical federal government spending like National Defense.

I find it especially repugnant that Members of Congress and the President will continue to be paid, while they tell hundreds of thousands of Americans who work for the Federal Government to stay home, they won’t be paid. And Military Members, including those deployed in combat areas, will “continue to earn money but will receive no paychecks.” What does that mean? Yes, we’ll owe you money until we have some to give you. It’s up to you how you pay for your family’s food and clothing, electricity, gas, and all that, in the meantime. It’s disgusting.

I used Club Scrap’s Body and Soul Digital kit to frame up this saying we put over our front door in the Living Room. It’s a great reminder.

Cathy and I were able to have lunch at Sauce the day she flew out for this Business Trip. It was very special for me. I used Club Scrap’s Sonoma, Gratitude and Solstice Digital Kits to show off the lunch leftovers.