“Lasting change is a series of compromises, and compromise is all right, as long as your values don’t change.” (Jane Goodall) When it comes to compromise, our legislators could take a lesson from Jane. She has a passion for saving chimpanzees and protecting wildlife, in general. She also realizes that there has to be give and take…and it works. You don’t get everything you want, but you accomplish your goal. ;-) Jack.
FROM WALMART REV: At this point, they could probably learn more from the chimpanzees than they are learning from each other. Just a friendly gesture...////FROM JACK: Give the chimps some money, and then see if they begin to act just like humans.////REV: True...but they do a better job "picking the fleas out if each others back" instead of calling the newspaper and reporting their "Honorable friend next door has fleas!"////JACK: ....which reminds me of a cheer that we used to use in high school. "There ain't no fleas on us; there ain't no fleas on us. There may be fleas on the referees, but there ain't no fleas on us."
FROM JE IN MICHIGAN: This is a really good one with what is happening in Lansing with our Governor's EAA House and Senate Bills trying to create their own school system.... why? What we have is not perfect, but let's not throw out the baby with the bath water. It is really difficult for me to understand why public education in Michigan and around the country is the target. Isn't public education the great equalizer? It is suppose to give everyone an equal chance and opportunity. We take the poor, tired, speaking every language with every syndrome, ailment, etc.... every child, every day is our motto at WL. Very sad that our representatives want to demolish it.////FROM JACK: It all comes down to a choice of values. So long as first choice is monetary, education of children will place somewhere after that. The love of power will also be placed ahead of education. BTW, equalization is not always seen as a value. As Churchill said during the midst of the war..."Keep calm and carry on."////JE: thanks for passing Churchill’s advice….”Keep calm and carry on.” That saying is in many places lately. Such sound advice. You are right, equalization is not seen as a value.
FROM MY ATTORNEY: I hope our representatives in DC know and/or learn this soon; before we go over the cliff!////FROM JACK: As a lawyer, you know that in disputes there has to be give and take, if there's to be a resolution. Is there a legal term for that?////MA: It's called "compromise".////JACK: It's not necessarily a bad word.////MA: It should never be a "bad" word. That's the problem with fundamentalists, regardless of whether they be in politics or religion. There is too much polarization toward black or white. There's always many shades of grey. To find the most acceptable shade requires compromise. In my opinion, one can compromise without abandoning core values. It just requires that one recognize that fanaticism leads to division.
FROM MICHIZONA RAY: I am often concerned for what people consider what a compromise is, as opposed to what a concession is. When one concedes to another, or a collective group like a family, culture, or society, one also concedes a part of oneself. Then, the question is always worthy of attention --- Is the concession constructive and a "good" thing? Suffering from repressed concessions bears the fruit of dysfunction. At least one then knows that it was not necessarily a good thing. Just the same, we don't live in a perfect system. The lust for power is certainly one of those dysfunctional fruits! ////FROM JACK: I'm reminded of the visual illusion where one person looks at a picture and sees an old woman, while the other looks at the picture and sees a young girl.
FROM HR IN MICHIGAN: Good advice////FROM JACK: No-one wants advice only corroboration. (John Steinbeck)
FROM SL IN HOUSTON: Well said! In this era of gridlock our politicians could stand to learn something about compromise and do what they're elected to do. I don't know when it became so out of fashion to dialogue and compromise. Thanks for your wisdom each and everyday!////FROM JACK: The thing that saddens me is that the ones who are willing to compromise are "throwing in the towel," and moving on in frustration. I think that the American people are looking for another Henry Clay who served in both the House and the Senate and was known as "The Great Compromiser."
FROM DR J IN OHIO: like it! very appropriate I think!////FROM JACK: I wonder when the message will get through?
FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: If agreement is the goal, compromise works. Compromise is compromising. Let's use the word "bend."////FROM JACK: Flexible is another word.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: The big moral in that statement is "as long as your values don't change"...that's the hard part. To compromise isn't so hard, most of the time, but to preserve your morals and values is another story. That's hard!////FROM JACK: It applies in the workplace and also in interpersonal relationships. Life is a series of compromise situations.
FROM JT IN MINNESOTA: Then one can say, "I could agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong !" A bit of humor.////FROM JACK: It's good to have some humor from Minnesota that doesn't involve Ole and Lena. BTW, in case you want an Ole and Lena story....:"Ole bought Lena a piano for her birthday. A few weeks later, Lars inquired how she was doing with it. "Oh," said Ole, "I persvaded her to svitch to a clarinet." "How come?" asked Lars. "Vell," Ole answered, "because vith a clarinet, she can't sing."
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I am often concerned for what people consider what a compromise is, as opposed to what a concession is. When one concedes to another, or a collective group like a family, culture, or society, one also concedes a part of oneself. Then, the question is always worthy of attention --- Is the concession constructive and a "good" thing? Suffering from repressed concessions bears the fruit of dysfunction. At least one then knows that it was not necessarily a good thing. Just the same, we don't live in a perfect system. The lust for power is certainly one of those dysfunctional fruits!
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