Monday, July 25, 2011

DICTIONARY

compromise
Definition
com·pro·mise
NOUN 

com·pro·mis·es

plural

1. Agreement: a settlement of a dispute in which two or more sides agree to accept less than they originally wanted
"After hours of negotiations a compromise was reached."
2. Something accepted rather than wanted: something that somebody accepts because what was wanted is unattainable
3. Potential danger or disgrace: exposure to danger or disgrace

VERB

com·pro·mised

past and past participle
com·pro·mis·ing

present participle
com·pro·mis·es

3rd person present singular

1. Intransitive verb: agree by conceding; to settle a dispute by agreeing to accept less than what was originally wanted
2. Transitive verb: to lessen value of somebody or something; to undermine or devalue somebody or something by making concessions
"Don't compromise your integrity by telling half-truths."
3. Transitive verb: to expose somebody or something to danger or disgrace
"This scandal could compromise his chances for reelection."
"Drugs that can compromise the immune system"

[15th century. Via French compromis < Latin compromissum "mutual agreement" < past participle of compromittere "make mutual promises" < promittere (see promise) ]
com·pro·mis·er NOUN
Thesaurus
NOUN
VERB
Synonyms: cooperate, bargain, negotiate, meet halfway, find the middle ground, give in, concede
VERB

I thought I would research what this word really meant.  It means what I thought it meant. As President of the New Hampshire State Grange, I have learned that at times I have to compromise with Dept Heads, the Board of Directors, in order to achieve parts of my agenda and I have found that when I make a compromise, it is usually a better product in the long run.  Compromise is not a dirty word.  So why is it such a dirty word in Washington DC?  I have always had a strong interest in politics even as a kid, I can remember seeing Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neil work together for the benefit of our country by each offering compromises.  So when are the leaders of today on both sides of the aisle going to start offering up compromises that are true and effective?  Not just for the politics of advantage?  The world is now watching us. They are seeing that one of the great democratic societies in history can’t make it work.  So what does this tell emerging democratic countries of the Middle East? Does it send a message to these people that democracy doesn’t really work?  I have concerns: are the leaders of our county going to let us default?  Are the poor and the elderly going to be compromised into non-existence? We need our leaders to work for all of the citizens of this country not just the ones that can afford to purchase their place in our country.