“This
is what compromise looks like. Sometimes it’s quiet, sometimes it’s loud.” –
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
is what compromise looks like. Sometimes it’s quiet, sometimes it’s loud.” –
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
“That’s
not compromise!” – South Carolina Rep Mick Mulvaney
not compromise!” – South Carolina Rep Mick Mulvaney
Compromise
means that the two bargaining sides do not give up on their principles, but
each side will never end up getting everything that they want.
means that the two bargaining sides do not give up on their principles, but
each side will never end up getting everything that they want.
That
definition, by the way, comes from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who was
defending 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney during a warm yet
heated roundtable discussion with MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough. Christie wisely articulated
that in compromise, two sides bring their views and their values, but because
they need to persuade different groups within a legislature or throughout a
state to support a policy, both sides give something to gain something else.
definition, by the way, comes from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who was
defending 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney during a warm yet
heated roundtable discussion with MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough. Christie wisely articulated
that in compromise, two sides bring their views and their values, but because
they need to persuade different groups within a legislature or throughout a
state to support a policy, both sides give something to gain something else.
Compromise
works when negotiators do not sell out their values, and more importantly do
not ignore the rules of the game in the process, like overarching rules and
regulations already in place. Federal law exists to protect the integrity of
the United States, from all enemies both foreign and domestic. Immigration is a
boon for every country, yet becomes a bane when the rule of law is ignored, and
results in a ban on able labor when state and federal leaders ignore the law of
the land.
works when negotiators do not sell out their values, and more importantly do
not ignore the rules of the game in the process, like overarching rules and
regulations already in place. Federal law exists to protect the integrity of
the United States, from all enemies both foreign and domestic. Immigration is a
boon for every country, yet becomes a bane when the rule of law is ignored, and
results in a ban on able labor when state and federal leaders ignore the law of
the land.
Compromise
cannot occur when both sides insist on ignoring essential verities, like
legislation which requires that immigrants pay certain fees, take tests, and follow
the outlined procedures to receive legal status. Governor Christie claims that he
compromised by permitting undocumented immigrants to attend state universities
at in-state tuition levels, yet refuses to permit them to receive financial aid
in order to enroll.
cannot occur when both sides insist on ignoring essential verities, like
legislation which requires that immigrants pay certain fees, take tests, and follow
the outlined procedures to receive legal status. Governor Christie claims that he
compromised by permitting undocumented immigrants to attend state universities
at in-state tuition levels, yet refuses to permit them to receive financial aid
in order to enroll.
This
is not compromise. This is lawlessness, an unrepentant decision to ignore the
rule of law and strike a bargain for political points, or to pander to
political pressures. In the same way that two greed uncles spend the
inheritance of a ward under their charge.
is not compromise. This is lawlessness, an unrepentant decision to ignore the
rule of law and strike a bargain for political points, or to pander to
political pressures. In the same way that two greed uncles spend the
inheritance of a ward under their charge.
In the
past month, however, Christie has compromised the very notion of compromise by
promoting a DREAM Act-lite provision for New Jersey immigrants who were brought
to the United States as babies, yet their illegal status has not changed.
Christie has signed legislation which will permit undocumented youth who have
attended New Jersey high schools for three years to enroll in state
universities and pay in-state tuition.
past month, however, Christie has compromised the very notion of compromise by
promoting a DREAM Act-lite provision for New Jersey immigrants who were brought
to the United States as babies, yet their illegal status has not changed.
Christie has signed legislation which will permit undocumented youth who have
attended New Jersey high schools for three years to enroll in state
universities and pay in-state tuition.
Rewind
back to the candidate Christie in 2009, and the former US Attorney is
explaining to the prospective voters why he opposes DREAM act legislation:
back to the candidate Christie in 2009, and the former US Attorney is
explaining to the prospective voters why he opposes DREAM act legislation:
“They
do not pay into the state subsidy.”
do not pay into the state subsidy.”
An
economic reason, free of emotion or political pandering, Christie recognized
that extending in-state tuition grants to illegal immigrants is too costly, and
that the legal residents will end up paying the bill. That’s not fair.
economic reason, free of emotion or political pandering, Christie recognized
that extending in-state tuition grants to illegal immigrants is too costly, and
that the legal residents will end up paying the bill. That’s not fair.
Four
years and double-digit reelection results later, Christie has waffled, hiding
behind the slogan “tuition equality” to justify enabling illegal immigration
and granting the “DREAM” of illegal immigrants and amnesty advocates.
years and double-digit reelection results later, Christie has waffled, hiding
behind the slogan “tuition equality” to justify enabling illegal immigration
and granting the “DREAM” of illegal immigrants and amnesty advocates.
This
is not compromise. This is naked abuse of power in the name of state-sponsored
humanitarianism. This agreement to foster a “DREAM Act is compromise the way
that two thieves evenly divide the loot which they pilfered from an unguarded
home.
is not compromise. This is naked abuse of power in the name of state-sponsored
humanitarianism. This agreement to foster a “DREAM Act is compromise the way
that two thieves evenly divide the loot which they pilfered from an unguarded
home.
Not
just with Christie’s caving in to immigration pressures, but with Congressman
Paul Ryan’s decision to support cuts to military pensions, and more importantly
President Obama’s passage of the Affordable Care Act, which as rendered health
insurance unaffordable while raising taxes on the middle class, compromise as a
political art form has become compromised.
just with Christie’s caving in to immigration pressures, but with Congressman
Paul Ryan’s decision to support cuts to military pensions, and more importantly
President Obama’s passage of the Affordable Care Act, which as rendered health
insurance unaffordable while raising taxes on the middle class, compromise as a
political art form has become compromised.
Another
example delineating the comprehensive failure of true, problem-solving bipartisanship
emerged in a CNN discussion following the last-minute fiscal cliff deal in
2012. Rep Mick Mulvaney voted against the hasty, late-night deal, arguing that
the “compromise” would increase spending and taxes without cutting the spending.
Willing to negotiate on revenue increases, Mulvaney would never agree to any
plan which ignored rising debt. Then the CNN moderator cited complaints that Tea
Party Republicans in the House refused to compromise.
example delineating the comprehensive failure of true, problem-solving bipartisanship
emerged in a CNN discussion following the last-minute fiscal cliff deal in
2012. Rep Mick Mulvaney voted against the hasty, late-night deal, arguing that
the “compromise” would increase spending and taxes without cutting the spending.
Willing to negotiate on revenue increases, Mulvaney would never agree to any
plan which ignored rising debt. Then the CNN moderator cited complaints that Tea
Party Republicans in the House refused to compromise.
Mulvaney
balked, then criticized that mentality pervasive among the Beltway media
classes. “I wish that I could show them what we are trying to do in Washington,”
Mulvaney continued. He then illustrated: “Imagine if someone came to you and
offered to buy your home for one dollar. I mean, you would slam the door in his
face. That’s not compromise!”
balked, then criticized that mentality pervasive among the Beltway media
classes. “I wish that I could show them what we are trying to do in Washington,”
Mulvaney continued. He then illustrated: “Imagine if someone came to you and
offered to buy your home for one dollar. I mean, you would slam the door in his
face. That’s not compromise!”
Exactly.
When one side is giving everything, and the other side gets most of what they
want, you have acquiescence, especially when the side giving everything abdicates
its responsibilities. In the same manner, Christie compromised not only with
the Democratically-controlled legislature in Trenton, he compromised his own
values, or at least the views of his party, and furthermore he compromised his
office, as every Governor must uphold and defend the United States
Constitution.
When one side is giving everything, and the other side gets most of what they
want, you have acquiescence, especially when the side giving everything abdicates
its responsibilities. In the same manner, Christie compromised not only with
the Democratically-controlled legislature in Trenton, he compromised his own
values, or at least the views of his party, and furthermore he compromised his
office, as every Governor must uphold and defend the United States
Constitution.
The DREAM
Act will be a nightmare for the rule of law in Trenton and throughout the
country, as well as compromising Christie’s chances for higher political
office. Now more than ever, voters need leaders who fulfill the spirit as well
as letter of compromise, upholding their vows will respecting the views and
values of the other side.
Act will be a nightmare for the rule of law in Trenton and throughout the
country, as well as compromising Christie’s chances for higher political
office. Now more than ever, voters need leaders who fulfill the spirit as well
as letter of compromise, upholding their vows will respecting the views and
values of the other side.