the price of compromise

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The way I figure it, everyone makes compromises and what is true for individuals is also true for institutions. Compromises are simply part and parcel of the human mix.

One piece of an Internet dictionary's definition of the verb, "compromise" reads like this:

to behave in a way that is not honest by doing things that do not agree with what you previously believed in or tried to achieve

Institutionally, examples are rife: News media that may claim a deep devotion to unimpeded coverage nevertheless have philosophical or economically-based biases; religions may speak of compassion and forgiveness and yet allow themselves to be swayed by political or monetary considerations that make compassion and forgiveness a non-starter; Henry Ford may have started out to build the best possible car for mass consumption, but when he discovered built-in obsolescence, he realized he could make more money.

At a personal level, whether alone or with friends, the same compromises crop up. Individuals may start with a shining dream, but in order to achieve that dream, they may be compelled to use methods that are out of synch with the original dream. And we all have friends who are convinced by one persuasion or another and we allow them their certainties because ... well, it's more comfortable and friendly and, what the hell ... I'll forgive you if you'll forgive me. A nice positive story is more consoling than one that has warts.

I think that what is infuriating about compromises -- whether institutional or personal -- is not so much the fact that they exist as it is that the honesty to concede them is often utterly lacking. How much easier it might be if the local newspaper or TV station simply said, "Yes, we support Israel in all that it does" or "We are in bed with the biggest real estate dealer in town." And if individuals, in the course of giving a positive spin to their lives, paid some attention to the compromises they made in the course of telling that story.

Of course such honesty would run the risk of diminishing the impact of whatever the current agenda or dream might be, but over the long haul, I have a feeling that there might be more room for a little peace and perhaps a small smile.
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