by Loren Adams, 13 November 2011
Civil discourse may be visualized as negotiating parties
sitting as equals across the table discussing ways to resolve issues in order
to arrive at a consensus favorable to both parties’ best interests. However, to
launch such a constructive arrangement, both parties must (1) bargain in good
faith and (2) own a similar vision for future results – seeking
comparable goals, albeit diverse methods.
Compromise is only good when opponents set the table correctly.
Barack Obama is now in campaign mode, temporarily not beset, it seems, by his race to the
right when in the “governing” mode. His poll numbers reflect a bounce. But
words alone cannot repair three years’ damage when he was eager to give away
the store to win Republicans unyielding in their contempt for the man, labor,
environment, equity, justice, and all issues sacred to progressives.
Obama’s blind-side is compromise.
Although it’s a good thing in suitable circumstances, compromise is a curse when
unilateral. It’s been one-sided from Day One, but the man doesn’t seem to
detect their venom nor hear their vitriol.
Obama’s biggest mistake was
casting pearls before swine. His pig enemies promised him failure and absolute
obstruction, then honored those pledges with a sense
of accomplishment. Undoubtedly, Republicans are willing to crash the nation for
power. Mitch McConnell’s vow to destroy Obama, making
him a one-term president, should have been the wake up call. Yet the man still
flowered them with concessions – even before talks began. Who would do
such a thing?
The classic comparison is Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain
in 1938 – conceding Czechoslovakia for a few months of peace. Stepping
off the plane, Chamberlain seemed ecstatic as he read Brits his fresh agreement
signed by Adolf.
The Fuhrer, of course, was not bargaining in good faith. Mein Kampf and his speeches overloaded
with imperial goals should have been clues. But somehow Chamberlain was deaf to
it all – his vision blurred by his ambition to be a noble statesman and
conciliatory negotiator. I believe Obama’s blind-side
is similar.
When the goal is compromise (not the overall public good),
style usurps the substance. Precisely, that is Obama’s albatross. Solid promises in 2008 turned into bargaining chips
which were cast upon the swine. Labor, environment, economy, healthcare,
and justice suffered. America went further down the path to the decline idiot
Bush set in place. Obama was to be the vaccine to the
virus Bush-Cheney infected us with. What utter disappointment. Is it incurable
now?
The excuse may very well be Republican obstructionism. But
weren’t Democrats granted huge majorities in both houses plus the White House?
Assuming leadership does not entail conceding to losers for bipartisanship’s
sake. Obama’s dawn was OUR day; it was our turn to make right the wrongs of the former. Unfortunately, our day
turned to night as we saw ourselves thrown under the bus for the slimmest hope
of a little Republican give-and-take. Obstinate they remained.
Only now, as we enter the next election cycle, do we hear
words for the base – as if we didn’t exist for three years. The curse of
compromise is a nation careening near the cliff.