Newest Dirty Word

Hi Everyone:

I am pretty sure that all of you are painfully aware of the newest dirty word in the English language. The newest dirty word is..... compromise. As the world watches, it appears that our elected officials in Washington, from both sides of the aisle, can't come up with a compromise solution to our country's debt ceiling. Our country's debt is the result of years and years of overspending by both Republicans and Democrats alike.

It used to be that both sides of Congress were able to sit down, talk and negotiate a deal. Both sides having to compromise their positions to get a completed deal that was agreeable to both sides. Now Washington is so paralyzed by partisan politics (and it gets worse every day and week and month and year), that nothing is getting accomplished on our deficit and raising the debt ceiling. Obviously, the only common sense and logical solution to the debt ceiling debacle is compromise. Previously, Republicans and Democrats were the two sides debating the issues, but today there seems to be a third side. The tea party within the GOP, which is a minority of Republicans and freshmen to congress, has held the talks hostage by their demands and their intentionally forgetting about the art of compromise. One can not compromise if one is not willing to ease up on their demands.

If compromise is not obtainable within two days, the U.S. will default on its bills that are owed. Unfortunately, the tea party thinks that it is ok for the U.S. to default, which would be devastating to every person and company in this country for a myriad of reasons. For a minority of Republicans to hold such power is very troubling for House Speaker Boehner to put together a bill that would pass the house. I give him credit for trying. But remember, compromise means not getting everything you wanted but some.

Since our deficit is the fault of both parties, both parties must concede on some of their positions to reach an agreement. I remain hopeful that a compromise will happen, but the result should not be a political, short term, band-aid solution, but a longer term solution. Why can't politicians worry first about us instead of their re-election.

Til next week.

Peter