filibustin'

Just some quick thoughts on our beloved two-party system. Our democratic form of government here in the good ol' US of A is founded upon the principle that a competitive two-party system - with opposite political beliefs - can most effectively govern through extensive debate of their views and then, finally, through effective compromise, combining the best elements of the two opposing views.

Yes. That's right. Our political system is founded upon the idea that the best way to govern in a democracy is through a system of COMPROMISE. Partisanship was (is) a necessary tool in drummin' up support and making a strong case, but the ultimate end is not for one party or one side to win out over the other; the ultimate goal is supposed to be to reach an effective compromise that benefits both sides. And, obviously, when one party is in power, that party should make out a little bit better in the deal...nothing wrong with that.

So, why is the GOP so upset about the current "filibuster compromise"...? Don't they like our democracy? Don't they like living in a country where individuals can vehemently disagree but, at the end of the day, hammer out a deal where both sides get something?

The truth is, no. Just read any commentary by any of the right-wing hacks and you'll see what I mean. From Michelle Malkin to Peggy Noonan, the idea of compromise is so distasteful and disgusting, they can hardly stand it. And that's the problem with today's GOP.

To them, compromise is not seen as the triumphant end result of extensive debate between opposing sides; it is seen as weakness. They view their opponents (fellow Americans) as bad guys and will settle for no less than complete victory. Whatever that means. The fact that 14 Senators from both sides of the isle were able to come together and maintain a fragile coalition of bi-partisanship to help keep Congress moving forward in the acrid, contentious arena of today's political landscape should have been hailed as a major victory for AMERICAN DEMOCRACY - the very thing that sets us apart from other nations and reminds us that no matter our differing political views, at the end of the day, we are all Americans.

But the hardliners in the GOP do not see that, nor do they want to admit that.

Compromise. It is the bedrock of American democracy and the foundation of the two-party system. It is an American ideal and the embodiment of cooperation and teamwork.

But to many of the power-mad right-wing hacks, it is just another dirty word.