What happened to Compromise?

[bobes915]

Anyone have theories on what happened to political compromise?  It seemed as though John Boehner was prepared to compromise somewhat, but the rest of the republicans in the house did not agree.  Obama refuses to lead in any of these negotiations as a strict ideologue and will not budge from his position.  Bill Clinton was able to compromise when he didn't have a super majority to work with.  Ronald Reagan had very strong views as well (with most of which I agree), but he compromised with a democratic majority in Congress. 

I guess the US voters voted for political gridlock in 2012 and that is what we have.  Harry Reid came out before the election and said that the Senate would not work with Mitt Romney if elected, so we likely would have had it either way.

Does there have to be a super majority in both houses of Congress and a president of the same political persuasion in order to get anything substantial done prior to some crisis kicking in?  I am not always happy with the compromises when they happen, but sometimes they are the much wiser course of action. 

 

[Falconer02]

Not sure if it qualifies as a theory, but all I can say is be prepared to pay more taxes. :-/

[Mykat]

Sad to say but, I think most politicians regardless of party are corrupt, self serving and don't really care about the people who elected them. 

[BlackSheepNY]

Sad to say but, I think most politicians regardless of party are corrupt, self serving and don't really care about the people who elected them. 

You can say that again!  This entire government has gone so far off course, it's crazy.  Neither of the parties are what they USED to be.  They represent no one but themselves and put on the Dog and Pony Show for the people, no matter what the issue.  There is no sense of responsibility anymore.  All this administration wants to do is SPEND.  Taxing the rich will not solve a thing, and in the end, it's the poor guy who will hurt even more than they hurt to start with.  Oh well, I guess they're going to learn the hard way.  Enjoy the ride!

[jcribb16]

I agree, too.  Obama has warned of the higher taxes coming.  Just how much more can citizens do without in their ever decreasing paychecks and ever increasing prices for most everything?

[cgilliland09]

Agreed indeed! I think of it as a rather altruistic thinking, that we can force the majority of peoples into OUR mindset, if we just do not budge. We are a large and diverse nation that has built it's reputation on it's diversity and now our political leaders want to hold out on us just to fulfill their own private agenda's. It is all rather sad. Some of our strongest Presidents did their best to compromise and negotiate what was not only Good for the American Public but what they(America) Wanted and Could Thrive Under. And isn't that really the point here, what will make America Thrive. 

[alina6]

Politicians are no longer statesman. At one time people actually looked to serve the country, now they only look to serve themselves and get re-elected. Some of it is our fault because we vote these people into office. We should just keep kicking out the incumbants until they learn to do what is best for the country again.

[vickysue]

Heck no there are not going to vote for higher taxes for the rich. Most of them are in that bracket, and we are paying the bill, they don't pay into socical security, medicare and have just now got another cost of living raise. In the mean time we are going to have to tighten our belts and live on less again.  Looks like another 4 more  years of the same old thing. You would think Prez. Obama would be doing anything he could to come out at the end as one of the best presidents we have had instead of one of the worst. 

[rainman306]

The latest I heard on the Fiscal cliff bill in congress is that it has passed the senate vote and now is in the house of representatives for a vote.  I just hope they pass it without any more delays or re-visions.  It should have been done before Christmas.

[bobes915]

And reportedly the bill RAISES the budget deficit!  Unbelievable!