Utah delegation shuns compromise, fears tea party

"Whew!" or "Dang!" — readers can choose their response (or worse) to passage of the debt ceiling compromise. The measure passed handily, but without much help from Utah's congressional delegation. Only Rep. Jim Matheson supported it. That raises some interesting questions.

Why did all of Utah's Republican members of Congress vote against the legislation negotiated and endorsed by their party leaders to prevent catastrophic financial default?

Pignanelli: "Compromise: An agreement between two men to do what both agree is wrong."

— Lord Edward Cecil

A majority of the Congressional Tea Party Caucus voted for the compromise legislation. Most major business and industrial organizations (i.e., Chamber of Commerce, Manufacturers' Association, Business Roundtable, etc.) demanded that Congress support the measure to prevent a default on the nation's obligations. Moreover, a "no" vote is even more confusing in light of recent revelations that America's economic revival is in jeopardy.

Yet, the actions of Utah's GOP congressional members may reveal something deeper in this debate. Ideas about the role of government — especially its place in society and the extent of the funding — have become deep philosophical beliefs that provide little room for negotiation. What happened in Washington the last several weeks reflects an important struggle over core values. The problem was that immediate action was required to avoid global turmoil. The recent compromise only extends the argument — with both sides entrenched.

Webb: To be charitable, Utah's congressional Republicans stood on principle. They didn't get the cut, cap and balance legislation they demanded, and they refused to compromise. The trouble is, unflinching dogmatism is no way to run a country. Being a tough negotiator is one thing. Holding out for the impossible is silly.