Can’t it be Win-Win?

As my readers know, I grew up loving baseball. I always loved to speculate on player trades because that sparked a lot of fan interest. Of course, I always wanted my team to get the better of the trade so that we could strengthen our team, and maybe weaken an opponent. Then as I got older, I recognized that the best trades are those that benefit both teams. After all, who is going to engage in a one-sided trade- unless you really didn’t know the baseball business. (Let us not discuss the trade of Frank Robinson from the Reds back in 1966- Reds fans know what I mean)

Now as the stakes get higher, and we talk about negotiations between two entities, such as businesses or Congress, we know that compromise is a way of getting a deal, and seeing that the idea of “win-win” is a good idea. Both sides can get at least some of what they want or need.

Unfortunately, in the United States today, each political party tends to demonize the other. In so doing, trades and compromise cannot happen. The base of each party will howl with fury about dealing with those opponents who are “wrong and evil”.

As long as we demonize the other party, we hurt ourselves. In the long run, we ARE on the same team. Let’s not call opponents horrible names and then expect that we can make a win-win deal. Civility is a basis for trades, compromise and a sense of community. Is it too much to ask that our elected officials act civilly toward one another so that we can make things better for all?