OK, just for argument’s sake let’s go with this highly questionable, hypothetical, meme’ the Republicans push that this nonsense is all legit. I know: it isn’t, but, let’s have some fun with it…
You know, as an American citizen I wish to express the opinion in an open letter that maybe you should change your mind: with caveats. Maybe we should, openly, accept the most recent offer by the economic terrorist cell: better known as the Republican Party. Of course, only with conditions that will be as non-negotiable as theirs.
Go ahead, sit across the table from them, but first insist there are always non-negotiable conditions in any negotiation…
1. No negotiation is one sided. We all get to offer our proposals, and ours can be as unconditional as yours.
2. Everything is on the table. No one has to accept anything.
3. All negotiations will be not only open to the public, but broadcasted by NPR and PBS with an open mic, stationary cameras: no editing allowed, no panning down of pots except to prevent distortion.
Then, once they make their demands, you make yours…
A. There will be a public option: you will support it.
B. Healthcare will be free for all.
C. Paying for this, and other conditions, will be achieved by raising taxes on the rich to previous top levels.
D. Very modest tax exemptions to this high rate will only be allowed for increasing wages to a living wage and hiring American workers in America, but not for hiring management. Another tax exemption for doing both. Taxes will actually increase even more when any company outsources for labor and products to overseas.
E. Republicans will agree to support an amendment that eliminates business being considered a “person.”
F. Republicans will agree to support an amendment that eliminates money as speech and the right of business to buy politicians. No more corporate donations to politicians.
This was the short list. I’m sure my readers can come up with some great gems.
OK, we know they’ll never accept those demands. But we don’t have to accept theirs, either. The point being true compromise, true negotiations, are not one sided. This point has to be made over and over again and make damn sure if you need to “compromise,” so must they. If this is only about what they want, or what they claim the public: um, actually their very narrow base, wants, then it’s not a negotiation: it would truly be just demands by hostage takers. If this about what they want, or what they claim the public: um, actually their very narrow base, wants, then it should also be about what your base wants too.
By the way, by going for public option you’ve already compromised for your base would by far prefer single payer. Make that point over and over.
Otherwise I think you know what the only answer to terrorists who take a nation hostage can be…
“No.”
Inspection is a column that has been written by Ken Carman for over 30 years. Inspection is dedicated to looking at odd angles, under all the rocks and into the unseen cracks and crevasses that constitute the issues and philosophical constructs of our day: places few think, or even dare, to venture.
©Copyright 2013
Ken Carman and Cartenual Productions
All Rights Reserved