Meet in the Middle

            The fiscal cliff loomed larger each day until a stop-gap measure postponed the problem for a few months. The sequester is nearing without much chance that anything positive will pass to avert it. Spending on one side is countered by bloody, to-the-quick cutting on the other. Our country and its economy wait nervously while the politicians in Washington play Russian Roulette with the future.

Citizens are disgusted with and tired of the intransigence of both sides. These so-called “intelligent” folks need a kick in the behind.

            Perhaps the representatives in our country’s capital should listen to a song by Diamond Rio. Titled “Meet in the Middle,” it offers the best practical advice for solutions to the gridlock and partisan politics. The chorus says,

I'd start walking your way
You'd start walking mine
We'd meet in the middle
'Neath that old Georgia pine
We'd gain a lot of ground
'Cause we'd both give a little
And their ain't no road too long
When you meet in the middle.

How simple can an answer be? Kids learn this lesson at an early age. Two toddlers reach for the same toy. A squabble and tug-of-war ensues. However, parents intervene and teach them to share. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but an important one. As they grow older, kids work to make things okay. That comes in making teams fair or empathizing with others enough to allow them a chance at being first. The kindness of their hearts and that sense of fair play make them seem wiser than most of us adults.

We grown-ups learn to compromise in all phases of life. In our jobs, we negotiate for salaries or raises. Just completing many tasks requires us to get along with others and make concessions. The art of a sale many times depends upon both parties’ willingness to “deal.” We begin to understand the importance of teamwork and how each person’s talents are necessary in order to successfully accomplish a task.

A marriage should be the epitome of compromise. Two individuals who are from different families with diverse traditions and beliefs join forces. In every aspect of their new life, these husbands and wives must give and take. Sometimes that means one might gain an advantage, but in the next situation the other might win. The division of chores at home and the care given to children are all parts of that life of compromise. Without a doubt, many of the marriages that end in divorce are the results to failure to compromise. It’s difficult to give in some, but the end product of not doing so is painful to husbands, wives, and children.

As parents, we learn slowly and painfully to compromise. When our children are born, we make statements about what will and won’t be allowed. Our inflexibility continues until our offspring enter their teen years. It’s then that we moms and dads discover the art of compromise. What actually happens isn’t compromise; instead, it is the realization that some things aren’t worth fighting over, so we lead our children to believe that we are making concessions. We look like understanding parents and save our energy for other situations that are much more important.

So, the American people expect the elected officials to do what we’ve been doing all our lives: compromise and get along. We are disgusted with fights over ideologies. The folks in D.C. were sent there to represent the welfare of their constituents, not to bow their backs in a game of who’s right and who’s wrong.

Senators and representatives get it together and accomplish something. Our financial security is at stake. Do something to improve your image to an American people that is ready to vote all of you out of office. Like the song says, give a little ground and meet in the middle.