I realize this, but, I don't have to be of the opinion that it's acceptable for EITHER party to compromise.
But, then, as Libertarian, I don't value government in the same way that many of you do.
I think that's a rather naive, myopic outlook.
It's the sort of outlook that seems to stem from the belief that all the current government does is provide welfare or collect taxes or make burdensome laws or regulations. Things that you might think we can do without, or are unnecessary, or that you don't think should be the responsibility of the government. (Or else, the belief that government's only legitimate function is defense, as if the rest of the world didn't exist, as if economies ran themselves, as if people and businesses will always behave rationally and equitably.)
But the fact is that we do need a government. The world is a lot more complex than just welfare or warfare. And we need a government that
works.
The recent financial meltdown should have made this so very apparent. The outcome of our gridlocked Congress was that we managed to get our credit downgraded. Our current economic recovery has also been slowed due to the financial and business world's distrust of our government-- the fact that no clear plan, that they can count on to continue for any length of time, is able to be agreed upon.
The fact is that Americans largely fall into two political camps. And while it would be great (if you were a conservative) to only ever have conservative laws pass, that is not reality. Reality dictates that half of voters fall on the other side of the aisle, which means that compromise is necessary. Insistence upon only one party's line means you are disenfranchising 50% of Americans. And ultimately, by not doing your job and making government come to a screeching halt, you are disenfranchising 100% of them.
It would certainly help if we could get more than a two-party system robustly going-- I think we should even force such a thing by making the two current parties split, to make 4 total, and neither can retain the old names-- but even then, compromise will be necessary.
Advocating a toddler-esque form of government in which it is "my way or nothing" is unrealistic, and ultimately a very dangerous game to play.