Tim Bradley
When I read the news this morning, and almost every morning the last few years, I couldn’t help but worry about the state of our country, not from a republican or democrat point of view, but from the inability of government to move forward on key issues that we need resolved. We seem to have lost the ability to compromise, to find a middle ground that nobody finds perfect, but most can agree will help. Many of us who sit in the middle, who can often but not always see points on both sides of an argument, wonder why some middle ground can’t be found.
I got into a discussion once with an individual who became quite agitated when I said that in reality, government was a great deal about compromise. The person insisted that government “was about the will of the people”. I could not disagree with that point at all, but tried to explain that if government was “about the will of the people”, and everyone didn’t have the same will (which is usually the case), and both sides couldn’t be completely right or completely wrong all the time, didn’t someone have to compromise. The reply was that you never compromised if you were on the right side. At that point I used an old and wise debating tactic that has served many people well through the years. I smiled and gave up.
Think about it! If everyone took a hard line that they were right, that everyone who agreed with them was right, and there was no way they were ever going to accept help or advise from someone who disagreed with them, in fact developed a bitter distrust for them, many institutions in our country would be in trouble. There would be no marriages that succeeded, partnerships in business would not exist, and education, religion, and everything else would be autocratic. We compromise in our life daily in everything from what we’re eating for lunch, what TV show we’re going to watch, even to speed limits. When government loses that ability to work things out, yes compromise, how can we expect it to work?
In 1787, Benjamin Franklin was considered the wisest man in America. He had been dispensing wisdom for years in a well-known published column in Boston called “Poor Richard”. He had supposedly harnessed lightning with a kite, convinced France to come to the aid of America in the revolution, and had negotiated the Treaty of Paris which made England finally recognize America’s sovereignty. Second to George Washington, he was considered one of the legendary figures in his time and a Founding Father of our country. He still is today. I read a biography of his life and he was well recognized as being hard headed. On September 17th of 1787, he rose to speak in favor of a draft Constitution and, by doing so, helped show and exhibit the spirit of compromise and conciliation that he knew was necessary to forge a democratic nation, and to help that nation survive. For a hard headed individual, it was a tough but necessary compromise.
Contrary to popular understanding, the Constitution of our Country was not written until a little over 11 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In May 1787, 42 delegates from 12 States (from what I read Rhode Island did not participate) came together in Philadelphia to try and develop a constitution for a new, stronger federal government. Even though he was almost twice as old as most of the delegates, Franklin participated for four months in sweltering heat through vigorous debates to try and find common ground to preserve or nation. State’s rights, slavery, the authority of the executive, westward expansion, liberty, personal rights, and many other issues were addressed, many of which were included in the final document. The meeting, which George Washington was to later call a “miracle”, was held in secret with sentries posted at every door. That would have been problematic today with open meeting laws. Although many expected the Constitution to be a temporary fix for our young country, it has withstood countless attacks and countries across the globe have tried to replicate it.
What made Franklin’s speech on September 17thof that year so remarkable were the concessions he made in his hard headed opinion. In order to find a document that would hold the country together, and that would find support from the 9 States necessary to ratify it, he recognized it would not have everything in it he or anyone else wanted. In fact, it may have some things in it he didn’t want. Yet it would be a combination of compromise the masses could support. Many famous people, even Thomas Jefferson, had mixed feelings about it and even questioned its need. Jefferson was in Paris at the time. Patrick Henry, the legendary revolutionary figure opposed it saying it would squash individual liberties. Others like Alexander Hamilton and George Washington supported it. As Franklin said on that day while addressing the President of the Assembly “Sir, I consent to this Constitution because I expect no better, and I am sure it is not the best”. He had made the statement earlier in his speech that the older he got, the more he tended to pay more respect to the judgment of others. The Constitution was not perfect in his, or anyone’s opinion at that time, but it was an example of compromise that the majority would find acceptable.
I rarely attend meetings where everyone agrees on anything. I also recognize that particularly in government and regulation, compromise is the only mechanism of ever getting anything done. The balance between two groups of individuals is rarely uneven. In fact, in most discussions, you will find that one side feels it is infallible, while the other believes it is never wrong. To get things done most of us must come to grips with the fact that few of us are completely right all of the time. Call it compromise, conciliation, or concession, we each have to pull a little, and give a little to get the line adjusted correctly. As a wise man once told me, you have to admit that someone else is right occasionally, and at least value their opinion even if you disagree with them.
It often seems that the stronger objective today is to make the other side look wrong rather than work on the problem, or it becomes a “campaign” issue. While I believe one should never compromise on their values, many issues that exist today are those that everyone recognizes are a problem. Maybe the best approach would be to support candidates that work for solutions, not those that can simply take a stance. Looking back over our history as a nation, I wonder where we would be if our founding Fathers “postured” instead of worked.
I think the closure of Franklin’s speech sums it up. “On the whole, Sir, I cannot help expressing a wish, that every member of the Convention, who may still have objections to it (the Constitution), would with me on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and make manifest of Unanimity, put his name to this Instrument.” How many meetings would you like to close on that note rather than on an argument?
sv388 says
Hey There. I discovered your weblog the usage of msn. This
is a very neatly written article. I will make sure to bookmark
it and come back to read more of your helpful information. Thanks for the post.
I’ll definitely return.
joker slot says
Hello mates, pleasant article and nice arguments commented
at this place, I am truly enjoying by these.
slot 88 says
I am sure this post has touched all the internet people, its really really
good post on building up new blog.
Tabel Kredit Mobil Agya says
Good day! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog
platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with
hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
slot55 says
What’s up to all, how is everything, I think every one
is getting more from this site, and your views are good in favor of
new visitors.
sbo bet says
What’s up, the whole thing is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that’s really excellent, keep up writing.
bearing 6206 Zz c3 says
It’s going to be ending of mine day, however before end
I am reading this fantastic article to increase my know-how.
Also visit my webpage … bearing 6206 Zz c3
joker slot says
I’m not sure why but this web site is loading very slow for me.
Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end?
I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
vivoslot says
What i don’t realize is if truth be told how you’re no longer
really much more well-favored than you may be now.
You’re very intelligent. You already know therefore considerably with regards to
this subject, produced me personally imagine it from so many varied angles.
Its like men and women don’t seem to be interested unless it is one thing to do with Lady gaga!
Your own stuffs nice. All the time care for it up!
jokerslot says
This design is steller! You most certainly know how to
keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost
moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that,
how you presented it. Too cool!
pragmaticplay says
I am in fact glad to read this web site posts which carries plenty of useful facts,
thanks for providing these statistics.
tracfone 2022 says
I pay a quick visit each day some blogs and websites to read content, however this website presents quality
based posts.
Here is my page … tracfone 2022
fafaslot says
This article will assist the internet people for setting up new weblog
or even a weblog from start to end.
sbo bet says
Hello to all, the contents existing at this web page
are genuinely remarkable for people knowledge, well, keep up the good
work fellows.
slot 88 says
I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here
regularly. I am quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
pragmaticplay says
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and
I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot.
I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.
slot says
Great post! We will be linking to this particularly great content on our site.
Keep up the good writing.
Also visit my webpage – slot
fafaslot says
Fantastic blog! Do you have any recommendations for
aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own site soon but
I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like
Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely confused ..
Any recommendations? Thanks!
sbobet says
Hello colleagues, its great paragraph concerning tutoringand entirely explained,
keep it up all the time.
pragmatic play says
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your
website, how can i subscribe for a weblog website? The account helped me a appropriate
deal. I had been tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vibrant transparent
concept
goaldaddy thailand says
Hey! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone
3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Carry on the great work!
vivo slot says
Wow! At last I got a web site from where I know how to really get useful data concerning my study and knowledge.
joker123 says
Great blog here! Also your site loads up fast!
What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Annie Handt says
Dear ncsfa.com administrator, Thanks for the informative post!
idnpoker says
Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working
with? I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time
making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!
idnpoker says
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for idn poker