Compromise for Lame-Duck Congress? Prognosis=Unlikely

This article discusses the recent shelving of the DREAM act, which was a start to comprehensive immigration reform. Democrats in Congress attempted to push through the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act as a means to grant citizenship status to illegal immigrants under the age of 18, who have been residing in the United States for over 5 years. However, the bill was stalled and not brought to the floor for debate because Republicans refused to vote or compromise on any bill that did not address extending the Bush tax cuts. This "all-or-nothing" mentality that the Republicans seem to champion is completely detrimental to successfully legislating in the 21st century. Governing is all about moderation and compromise. One cannot expect to receive everything one asks for in government and so compromises must be made with the opposing political party. Even though Americans want comprehensive illegal immigration reform and a plethora of other reforms, America's policymakers on both sides of the political aisle, cannot seem to understand this desire. If either political party wants to make any headway in governing this nation, both sides need to swallow their pride and follow the example of many average Americans by sacrificing some pet issues for the sake of compromise.