Finding the middle ground

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I’m just back from a nice weekend inChicago, where I sat in the bleachers for the first time and saw the Cubs get a rare win. Even the downtrodden deserve a victory once in a while!

In my previous column, I discussed concerns with Tea Party “Republican” Richard Mourdock’s uncompromising approach to governance. Compromise has always been a part of the American way. After all, without major compromises by all involved parties, the Constitution would never have been ratified.

According to Wiley’s Online Library, “a compromise is an agreement that involves mutual concessions. Each party gets less than it feels entitled to, but agrees to it because the situation it anticipates under the deal is better than the one in absence of a deal.”

Is finding middle ground to break the partisan gridlock really that difficult? Sensible citizens on either side of the political spectrum should be able to find reasonable solutions to our country’s problems if they are willing to work together for the common good. Obviously, each side can’t expect to have everything its way.

Senatorial candidate Mourdock defines compromise as waiting for the other side to agree with him. While that may get applause from his supporters, Mourdock is exactly the kind of politician we don’t need more of, as his refusal to compromise ensures partisan gridlock.

So, I invite Republicans who believe that compromise is not a dirty word to consider supporting a moderate candidate … even if he or she might sit on the other side of the aisle. Recently, a former Lugar Super PAC donor did just that, holding a fundraiser to support Mourdock’s opponent, Joe Donnelly. Apparently, this gentleman is a Republican who doesn’t share Mourdock’s publicly expressed attitude of “my way or the highway.”

What can voters do to help break the gridlock? Send sensible politicians toWashingtonwho follow the example of the Founding Fathers, and who are willing to negotiate compromises to address the country’s most pressing problems.


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