The Willow in the Winds

   I fancy myself as being a fair-minded person. I attempt to listen to both sides of any argument before making my decision as to which one I agree with. This even goes for arguments that I may have already decided on. I keep an open mind and the option to change how I think on the table. This is popularly called flip-flopping, but is simply being adaptable. Why have we put such a negative spin on this quality? When we argue with another person, don't we hope that they may actually be listening to what we're saying and taking our points into consideration so that they may come to think the same as we do? Or at least offer their own compelling argument to counter. This happens all the time in our household. I will make a statement about what I believe to be a good course of action, and Erin counters by telling me what a jerk I am and that we're doing it a different way. Argument / counter argument and my mind is changed. In all seriousness though, Erin usually makes very good points and it's not hard for me to say, "You're right. Your way is better." If only politics were this easy.     The biggest difficulty facing America today is not the economy or unemployment or gay rights. It's not the wars we're fighting or abortion or gun control. The BIGGEST problem is that Americans are dividing themselves based on opinions that they won't concede, and don't want their elected politicians to budge on either. How sad it is when so many Americans are complaining of the partisan politics in Washington, but are angry if THEIR guy yields ground. When did we lose the ability to compromise? How did our ideals become so polarized?    As a self-proclaimed social liberal, and someone who generally votes Democratic, I may have surprised Erin recently when I told her that I would vote for Republican Richard Lugar to retain his US Senate seat, even against a Democrat candidate. "Why?" she asked. There were a number of reasons, but the big one was his ability and willingness to work WITH The other side. His primary opponent Richard Mourdock painted this willingness to compromise as a weakness though and beat out Lugar for the chance at the Senate seat. How terrible for all of us. A certain amount of flexibility is beneficial for everyone whereas an unyielding will leads to tyranny.