Businesses would tell you that compromise is rooted in losing, and no matter what the compromise comes to, neither side is truly happy with the result. However, in a country dictated by partisan agendas, compromise is the best option for inclusive policy.

On Jan. 20, 2018, a government shutdown resulted from politicians refusing to compromise on immigration. While I am not trying to argue either side of politics, it is essential that the American people promote compromise in our government. Our society is indisputably plagued by partisan politics, so it is imperative that compromise works itself into the roots of politics.

This dilemma has not only impacted our policy makers, however. The American people refuse to reason with political out-groups every day. It became evident in the 2016 presidential election that we live in a truly divided country. Politics has come down to groups yelling at groups that differ from them rather than groups trying to work out their differences.

A 2016 Gallup poll found that “77 percent of Americans see the country as greatly divided when it comes to the most important values.” Our country is not blind to the disunion of our nation, but we are not striving to respect the idea of compromise. Would you compromise with a loved one? Of course you would. What about a co-worker? Without a doubt. Then why have we let politicians make “compromise” a dirty word?

Compromise means solving complicated problems together as a country, not a party. Of course, compromise is not always acceptable on issues about morality and ethics, but in politics and everyday life we must work to find common ground with our fellow Americans. Compromise is winning a little and losing a little, but that’s not exactly a bad thing.

The only way we can ever hope to have a smooth working government and supportive American people is to work together. It is essential that we see the sides of everybody involved. America was founded on a democracy that would crumble without the compromise of the people.