With the events that took place in France last week, I have to ask myself , "Has compromise become obsolete?" Where was the face to face conversation that may have provided information? Where was the conversation that may have provided a small unit of understanding which may have prevented the murderous outburst?
People may have widely opposing views, but they don't have to kill each other. It's not a black and white world. The winner takes all is a poor way to play the game.
It seems that when two opposing views collide there's only room for one. Fight the opposing view until it is obliterated and then you get your way.
In France it was an extremist group that insisted that Mohammad should not be depicted in a graphical form. The other guys looked at it as a free speech issue. Somewhere there should have been a point where both sides could be accommodated and everybody wins. Now that would take compromise.
Some Muslim denominations want Sharia law. Fine for them, but it doesn't have to be forced on those who are a majority and do not support Sharia law
Compromise is missing in the Canadian Government. Prime Minister Harper wants to maintain power at any cost so he splits the opposition. He governs with 35% of the vote while 65% voted against him. Our election procedures allow him to use the system to gain power. Of course, he also cheated in the last election. Two of his members have lost their seats because of breaking election spending rules. Many other constituencies have reported robo calls but only one was charged and is now facing a jail term. He governs catering to his supporters but has no consideration for the good of the whole country.
Christians show intolerance to each other. Ireland is a good example where Catholics and protestants slaughtered each other for many years. They had to be drawn kicking and screaming into an agreement that was a compromise.
Why is it that groups with different views can not show some tolerance that would allow satisfaction for each. It's not win at all costs. It's not completely destroy the other guy and then you can do what you want. Doing things this way is a major failure.
There are many examples of cooperation and compromise to show us that compromise works. I think in Iceland the parliament members sit in a circle instead of facing each other in opposition. That's a simple idea but it works. They have to listen to each other and do not sit in an opposing way.
We have to concentrate on looking for examples of how compromise and cooperation work. We have to keep our eye on the positive and work hard to obtain the greatest good for all.
I didn't know that about the Icelandic parliament. I've read some encouraging remarks in recent days... but at the same time some awful, xenophobic remarks as well.
ReplyDeleteAs for Lord Harper, the sooner he's driven off to the dustbin of history, the better. He might not understand, but history will judge him very, very badly.
I agree with you on Harper. I hope he lives long enough to see it.
Deletei would add republicans and democrats in the US government to that list.
ReplyDeleteI really try to stay out of other people's business but I am aware of how much these two like each other
DeleteI think many take the 'right fight' to the end.
ReplyDeleteYou are right.
Somehow or other this has got to stop.
DeleteI agree one hundred percent. But I have no say in these situations, and I wonder what, if anything, I can do to change things. Do you have any ideas?
ReplyDeleteWalk the talk. It starts with our own behavior. Talk also to anybody who will listen. I am pessimistic that much will happen,but I have to make an effort.
DeleteCan't we all just get along? I think I heard that somewhere. I wonder why it is so difficult. A naive statement I know but I will always live in hope.
ReplyDeleteIt's an obvious question and the answer is obvious. Some people just don't want to play by any rules.
DeleteI agree with you and everybody else who commented. And yes, look at the Republicans and the Democrats. Argggh! You've voiced our frustrations beautifully, Red!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I won't ask what these people think of themselves. It's their egos that get in the way.
DeleteI agree one hundred percent. I doubt we will live to see any meaningful compromise.
ReplyDeleteAs long as people are fragile in their beliefs and fear anything different then their believes we will have such fights. Compromise for some does not mean plurality but a slide into dangerous territory for extremists.
ReplyDeleteFragile is a good term. Many people have very little to back up their ideas and they know it.
DeleteThe intolerance of people is growing and I wonder if it will ever stop. History learns us that there will be always groups of people who think they are better than others and can't live in peace with that idea.So there we go again and again.
ReplyDeleteI realize our past is not very pretty. There are places that do well and we should have enough common sense to look at their example.
Deleteha,ha I liked William Kendall's reference to "Lord Harper". It is simply all about power and being in charge. Some people make decisions that ordinary citizens should be making. We should have a voting public of citizens, not Lord Harper's world of beliefs. Compromise Yes, I would love to see compromise. Great article today Red. Well Done.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Canada is in a very low ebb as far as having a sensible government.
DeleteWe get so caught up in black and white that we really forget about the grey, don't we? Great post my friend...
ReplyDeleteWe miss the goal of a greater society.
DeleteThat would be the ideal world...if we could all agree to disagree. And live and let live.
ReplyDeleteWe will never reach the ideal but we could at least improve.
DeleteOkay, Red. I am now nominating you to be King of the World.
ReplyDeleteIf only everyone realized - like you - that everything isn't black or white. Compromise seems to be becoming an antiquated concept.
I'll respectfully refuse the "King of the World " title!!! I'm afraid you're right that we are doing worse when it comes to reasonable behavior.
DeleteIt is sad when it comes to this. I went to a Serbian party recently and the mom was ready to shut down the whole ordeal because her daughter showed with a Muslim friend. These kids weren't even born during the war she still wants to fight.
ReplyDeleteWeww are completely blinded to the good in others.
DeleteCompromise has gone by the wayside. Fighting and getting in the news is what is important. Guns in France by citizens might have made a difference, ...seems to me they are sitting ducks there:(
ReplyDeleteThe guys with the guns are the bad guys. It's too easy to get guns and go wacko.
DeleteHere in the States I think most people forget that this country only came into being because of compromise. There was a time when it wasn't considered a dirty word.
ReplyDeleteYou really hit the nail on the head.
DeleteA thought provoking post Red, and some interesting comments too.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteGreat post and interesting discussion. I decided about ten years ago that my role as a grandparent and my contribution to the future is to give my young ones constant, unconditional love and teach them about compromise and negotiation. That won't solve the problems of the world but there will be a few fewer power hungry, pigheaded tyrants.
ReplyDeleteI second your motion. Kids need a mentor .
DeleteI just watched President Obama's State of the Union speech. His goals and ideas sound so good for America and for Americans. but the opposition Republicans have declared that they will oppose this president, not on the basis of merit , but simply to see him fail. Compromise is a dirty word. It is very discouraging.
ReplyDeleteAmen! Sometimes it seems that the world has learned nothing about getting along with each other in spite of all the lessons of history. It also seems as the world has gotten smaller and people have more access to each other, peace has gotten even farther away. It's sad, and it's discouraging.
ReplyDeleteYou've raised an excellent point about the globalization of everything. so compromise would have to be on a much larger scale.
DeleteYou are so right Red. One things that work against compromise is the fact that many young people have no economic future. I expect it is more difficult to compromise when you have no hope for the years to come. The fact that inequality is increasing all the time does not help.
ReplyDeleteThe middle class is also hurting when there is no compromise.
DeleteRed you raise a good point, there is no such thing as compromise in many instances today. Our own government as you've mentioned only holds 35% of the public vote, he's far from a majority govt. so he is not serving the best interest of all, he's got the big business in his pocket, or they have him right where they want him, and the rest of us are left by the wayside to fend for ourselves. Harper doesn't give a damn about us Canadians, his only compromise is with the big business, you keep me in office and I'll make sure you don't pay taxes and tax the middleman to starvation. That's his compromise.
ReplyDeleteOur world is in a sad state of affairs without a doubt. What can we do about it? For starters show up at the voting polls, be accountable for our own behaviors and actions and compromise with those we encounter... be human and treat others with respect.
As you point out there are many little things we can do. We have to get rid of Lord Harper. He is absolutely evil.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more Red.
ReplyDelete