Poll: Americans think standing for principle is more important than bipartisan compromise.

[ProSense]

Poll: Americans think standing for principle is more important than bipartisan compromise.

[RC]

1. It depends on what the subject/problem is and

where the other side is coming from. With the party of NO!, there is no compromise. Both sides need to be reasonable sensible.

[Clio the Leo]

2. Which would be fine and dandy if we all agreed on the principle in question. NT

[Canuckistanian]

3. It's a strange system as compared to Canada

Historically and socially, Canadians have always favored compromise. And we see compromise played out every day in our political system of lawmaking.

But then again, we don't have the massive gulf between right and left. We don't have an "extreme right" like America does. So, our "center" is a lot more to the left of yours, comparatively. Actually, it's that way in MOST other "first world" countries.

But getting back to compromise, the American system seems geared for compromise and democratic rule, but it never seem to work out that way lately. Filibusters, the "two chamber" Congress, the "2-Senators-per-state" rule... It seems to be "fair and balanced" to quote a saying.

But Congress and the Senate are ruled by parties. And BOTH of them have steadily moved to the right over these past 30 years. And the parliamentary rules have not developed WITH that shift. Democrats are terrified of using the filibuster, yet the right uses them without a pause. And small-state Blue Dog Democrats wield unprecedented power, yet there is no comparable phenomenon on the right. And ALL of them are driven by CAMPAIGN MONEY.

In summary, I think your system needs a shake-up, something that can break the stranglehold that conservatives and BIG money have.

You should start with the Senate. It's insane that the laws of the nation have to go through THAT system of arcane rules, tyranny minorities and procedural nightmares.

[applegrove]

4. The leadership of the GOP and the leadership of the wingnuts think

that Americans should stand on principal. Americans just fall into line with their orders from above.

[2 Much Tribulation]

5. Wow, heading toward a cliff on campaign finance (see responses above)

The vast majority want more disclosure but SCOTUS is trying to eliminate it.