If politics really is the art of compromise, then is it any wonder politicians are so despised?

Nothing seems to irritate modern Americans more than compromise. We fail to even contemplate the possibility of concession and it is having profound effects not just on the running of our government but our social systems and personal relationships as well.

Take a look at the front page of any newspaper on any day and you will find evidence of this disturbing situation.

A photo of adults screaming at each other over abortion or human rights or religious freedom or...is a common occurrence. The single-issue mentality has captured a vast segment of our population and they will not be moved. Such an attitude may appear noble and heroic but often is only a mask that covers an abundance of fears.

Many of us are afraid that the truth is we may not have all the truth. But instead of opening ourselves up to insight from other points of view, we often shut down or surround ourselves with only those people who share our limited understandings.

Such an attitude logically leads to cults taking up residence in the backwoods of Montana and arming themselves against the rest of us or otherwise decent folk fighting to the death over who is more pro-life.

Now I suspect that there are issues that demand an uncompromising attitude for all of us but I wonder if we shouldn’t be a bit more discriminating in the ones we choose. I have watched as marriages crumble, friendships dissolve and institutions shake, all in the name of some ill-directed integrity. Our failure to at least admit that another perspective may be valid has us on the brink of personal, social and governmental paralysis.