Over the years I have, now and again, felt the need to evaluate my position. What I was doing just wasn’t working. I realize it is often just a part of the human condition. It will remain uncomfortable until examined. A self-critic.
I judged each hypothesis I formed as incapable of producing the desired outcome. I believe I have to keep making adjustments.
I tried to apply Thomas Edison’s adage, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work.”
I found that, with this Just Thinkin,’ I was violating my own cardinal rule. Never write about politics. But I am. Kinda.
I tell myself that by their very nature politics, international or national or local, all politics are unsatisfying. There is a truth here. The nature of our government was built on a fundamental belief in compromise. Only men committed to negotiation could have agreed to the Three-Fifths Compromise in our Constitution. This agreement decided that for the purposes of arriving at state representation, a slave was to be counted as 3/5 a person.
I believe everyone came away with something, no one got everything they wanted.
Can you imagine today’s Congress attempting to reach such an agreement? Me either. The men drafting our Constitution had considerably more at stake than the guys in Washington today. Yet, they found a way.
By definition, I never get everything I want from a compromise.
Very early in life we attempt to teach our children the value of compromise, just getting along with each other in the sandpile. Sharing. Sharing for the benefit of everyone in the sand box.
When I consider Congress today, I more often think litter box than sand box. I know, but I couldn’t resist.
Even in the sand box we were being taught about honoring our moral obligations to our fellows.
Compromise. Yes. Yes, but. Our word must count for something. A moral commitment to a playmate. A pledged word from our country to another. You might say we have an obligation to live up to our obligations, to keep our promises.
After World War II we held our light out to the world. As with every good leader we said, “Follow me!” And they did.
Post war, the Soviet Union built a wall that separated East and West Berlin.
President Kennedy said, “Ich bin ein Berliner!” 14 years later, President Reagan said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” The wall fell and East Germany blended into West Germany. Despite a reinforced, armed wall, West Germany did not blend into East Germany.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has expanded while the Soviet Union folded back into Russia. Why? We kept our word.
I woke this morning to hear Russia, resupplied by Iran and North Korea, were again mounting a push into Ukraine. Ukraine, which has not been resupplied by us, was retreating. Iran and North Korea!
The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep. – Robert Frost
