We’re not even two months into the year 2011, and I can already predict that the folks at Lake Superior State University will banish either the words shutdown or lockout for this year. So many things could either go on strike, be locked on, or shutdown that I think Las Vegas has the over/under on major shutdowns (sports, federal government, and state governments) at 5. It’s clear all sides in the various disputes are not just trying to get most of what they want, they’re trying to get everything they want. In a day and age of a 24/7 media coverage and everyone expressing their ideas on the Internet (mostly vile comments if you have ever seen CNN.com or yahoo.com), the art of compromising on just one single part of an issue is seen as weakness and is blasted by allies and opponents alike. And don’t think your one-side is better at compromising than the other, because you aren’t (sorry, I’ve proving my own point). We’re human beings, we have sinful pride, and we’re not perfect. That shows in the fact we want what we deserve and that the other side is wrong.
Right now let’s take a quick look at what things are heading for a shutdown. In sports, all four major North American Sports organizations (the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL) have expiring contracts this year. The issues are simple (owners are going broke in their eyes, while the players think they should get either more money and benefits or they should keep what they have already bargained for). Right now it appears that hockey is safe, though with Don Fehr now heading the NHLPA, there’s no guarantee there will be a full 2011-12 season. Baseball is a sport that I thought would be safe in 2012, but the way the owners are talking, I’m not sure. The “c” word has begun to crop up again—contraction. The NFL situation is well known, and there is a growing risk of the 2011 season not occurring. (Personal note: The sad part is that player safety is not high on the list of demands.) As for the NBA, that’s the worst situation of the four, and my guess is that the 2011-12 season is already lost with the 2012-13 season being in serious jeopardy.
As for state and federal governments situation, we are heading for budget showdowns in Madison, Columbus, Indianapolis, Lansing, Harrisburg, and Washington D.C. Union and tea party anger is brewing on opposite side, and the politicians are playing to their bases. The situation has gotten more partisan over the years from the tax increase in 1993, to the Texas redistricting in 2003, to the health care debate last year, to Democrats fleeing across state lines (again!) this year to avoid their base (unions) getting cut off at the knees. The new era of civility bipartisanship supposedly called upon in the wake of the Giffords shooting in Tucson only lasted about 4 weeks, with labor unions once again starting the name calling and violent rhetoric (did you hear about the Massachusetts congressman calling on unions to “get bloody”?) and tea party activists re-engaging as well. In Washington, attempts to stop spending too much money has risked shutting the government down one day after the NFL deadline. State governments are on the verge of shutting down and laying off state workers.
Even social issues such as gay marriage has splintered the country, though this issue is more based on generations than politics. Everyone is trying to get what they want without addressing opposition concerns. Instead, they denigrate the opposition or anyone that fails to completely agree with them. I have seen it happen too many times on Facebook with my friends (don’t make me start naming names). People do it without even thinking.
The worst part is both sides want to take out the moderates who could find a path to negotiations. Negotiations are seen as being weak and a coward. Even though a strong amount of people believe in moderation and negotiation, they are drowned out by the shouting and name-calling. Many have just decided to get out of negotiating and finding a new way—at a time when voices of compromise and rational discussions are desperately needed. There are no Daniel Patrick Moynihans in Washington or DLCs or enough moderate Republicans to make a difference. There are no Fay Vincents in baseball or in other sports. We are now inundated with Rush Limbaughs and Keith Olbermans and Bill O’Reillys and Bill Mahers. Even the independents, such as Jesse Venturas, are a little over the top.
Peacemakers are desperately needed and not just alleged peacemakers like these no-party types that have sprung up. (Personal note: if you have to say that you are non-partisan, YOU ARE LYING!). We need “adults” to come in and begin cleaning up the mess. Colin Cowherd of ESPN Radio recently suggested to begin charging much more for the internet per use to get rid of the “firebombers” and “porn addicts” living in mom and dad’s basement. Although radical and taking a cheap-shot, I’m beginning to think it’s a good idea. A common sense test on anyone running for political office is not a bad idea, especially on how to NOT grandstand in front of the media. I think it’s also time to end political gerrymandering that has kept many members in Congress in their seats (state and national) since 1980. It’s also time to bring back some common sense to the news media and just report the facts, relegating editorial points of view to the back pages or last 2 minutes of a newscast. Actors, athletes, and musicians will always have their opinions, but it’s time to mostly ignore their sound bites which makes them think they are experts on anything other than their profession and focus on real experts. The reason that many of these folks are actor and athletes and musicians are because they would never make it in other professions. I never want to see Stephen Colbert ever again called to Washington to testify, unless he is either talking about actors or is under federal investigation, and then only behind closed-doors.
Also, let’s begin to be realistic in our views. We have to identify where there is a broad agreement on areas and work from there to try and find positive solutions. No one should ever come out as an ultimate winner, except true fans and player’s safety in sports, and the state and American people in politics. The compromisers may not always be considered great leaders, but they find a way to bring great leaders together.
Over 2000 years ago, a Jewish teacher said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Sons of God.” Of course, the leaders of the Jewish state (a mixture of Pharisee, Sadducees, and Zealots-their version of Democrats, Republicans, Unions, and Tea Partiers) sentenced this teacher to death and let the Romans crucify him on a cross. Just goes to show we haven’t learned much in the art of compromise. Maybe one day, we’ll awaken to a world where the peace-makers are celebrated. Until then, we are going to be in for some rough times—and this year is a perfect example.
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