Lack of compromise is a killer, in sports, in school and especially in government. This year we experienced an NFL lockout, an ongoing NBA lockout, a state government shutdown, and a near federal government shutdown. Compromise, or lack of it, plays and played a large role in all of these disagreements, some of which have the possibility of having disastrous effects on our lives as Minnesotans and Americans.
The state and near government shutdown both had a root cause of disagreements over how to deal with a growing debt, fueled by arguments between divided Senate and House Representatives. It’s no secret that Republicans and Democrats disagree, from small state issues to bigger problems such as raising our nation’s federal debt ceiling. Safe to say, life is easier when we all agree.
As an athlete, disagreements between teammates can spell disaster for your team, and if left unresolved it can become a very long season. David Smith, a sophomore on the boy’s Varsity soccer team, says that when there is a disagreement between two people, “Having the two people talk while you’re there to see each persons story and come to an agreeable conclusion,” is the best way to deal with a disagreement. When conflicts arise it’s better if they are made public, put out into the open for all to hear about be it a screaming match on the field or scoldings away from the game. When this happens the disagreement is usually resolved much more quickly, this being because more people are involved with the issue and there is pressure on those who have the disagreement to end it.
This should be how government problems are resolved, everything out in the open so that us as the American people can see all the sides of the issue. Instead of secret, late night meetings in the House and Senate, we should be able to see and hear what is going on in Washington, in ways that are a little more engaging the C-SPAN. It seems as though students are not connected enough with our nation’s, and state’s governments, an odd thing being it that in just a few short years we will all be able to become registered voters and vote in elections.
Knowing the oppositions side of the story also helps to end disagreements and create compromise, junior Melissa Sutton says, “Hearing it from a person who is not involved helps them actually listen to the other side and listen to what the other side is.” Neutral parties can play an important role in negotiations and are frequently used to solve problems, this is what mediators make their living off of. However in any level of government, neutral mediation is not a part of negotiating resolves to conflicts, even though the government itself sponsors mediation programs for citizens.
