Call to Action: It’s a Compromise! Maybe. (February 13, 2019)
IT’S A COMPROMISE!
(MAYBE)
Democracy requires compromise, even when you are 100 percent right. That was Obama’s view and also that of the nation’s founders. The deal worked out in Congress over Trump’s border wall is something rare but vital in DC, a compromise.
The bipartisan deal gives Trump money for only 55 miles of fences compared to the 200 miles he wanted.
Without compromise:
- Action occurs only if one side has overwhelming numbers . . . as we’ve seen when only Senate Republicans confirm judges and cabinet members
- This one-sided government produces cynicism and distrust of government
- If both sides refuse to compromise, they produce only gridlock
That’s why the wall compromise is so important. It isn’t the end of divided government, but it is a pathway to better, constructively engaged government.
The 17 lawmakers who worked out the deal were driven by an essential component for compromise, a common goal:
Avoid. Another. Shutdown.
Although Trump was consulted throughout the negotiations, he now says he’s not happy with the bipartisan deal.
We must show our support, not only for this deal but, more importantly, for reaching a compromise.
Be Heard!
Make Your Calls!
Approve The Deal!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**
Sample script:
“My name is [–] and I’m constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling to say I strongly support the bipartisan deal Congress worked out about the border wall.
We must accept that people of good will can have different views. Congress’s role is to reach agreement across party lines, or else we continue with gridlock and polarization.
I urge you to vote for the bipartisan border wall deal. Thank you.”
SENATOR RON WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/
SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/
**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**
Sample script:
“My name is [–] and I’m constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling to say I strongly support the bipartisan deal Congress worked out about the border wall.
We must accept that people of good will can have different views. Congress’s role is to reach agreement across party lines, or else we continue with gridlock and polarization.
I urge you to vote for the bipartisan border wall deal. Thank you.”
COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me
**ACTION THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**
Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on our local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. Check out the following:
Rogue Valley Climate Bash – Ashland
February 15 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-rogue-valley-climate-bash-ashland/
Teach & Greet: Building Our Bench – Talent Community Center
February 17 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/teach-greet-building-our-bench-location-tba/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Senator Ron Wyden Town Hall – Medford
February 20 @ 10:15 am – 11:30 am
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-senator-roy-wyden-town-hall-medford/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: SOCAN’s February Monthly Meeting: Bugged by Global Warming: Insects in a Changing Climate – Medford
February 26 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-socans-february-monthly-meeting-bugged-by-global-warming-insects-in-a-changing-climate-medford/
SUBMIT EVENTS TO BE ADDED TO THE ORD2 INDIVISIBLE EVENT CALENDAR
Help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/
SOURCES:
BBC News, February 12, 2019: “US border security deal reached to avert new shutdown” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47207411
CNN, Feb 12, 2019: “What needs to happen now to avert a government shutdown.” https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/12/politics/shutdown-deal-congress-trump-next-steps/index.html
Washington Post, Feb. 12, 2019: “With new border deal, Republicans are trying to negotiate Trump’s surrender” https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/02/12/with-new-border-deal-republicans-are-trying-negotiate-trumps-surrender/?utm_term=.89c59d39b52a
Gallup, Oct. 10, 2018: “Bringing About More Compromise in Congress” https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/243566/bringing-compromise-congress.aspx
Harvard Magazine, July-August 2012: “The Case for Compromise” https://harvardmagazine.com/2012/07/the-case-for-compromise
Daedalus Spring 2013: “Valuing Compromise for the Common Good”
https://www.amacad.org/publication/valuing-compromise-common-good
Cambridge University Press, 2010 “The Mindsets of Political Compromise” https://president.upenn.edu/meet-president/mindsets-political-compromise
