University Star

Ted Cruz, the newly sworn-in U.S. senator from Texas, must consider the idea of compromise as a correct method in the representation of Texas State students.

According to a Jan. 7 Fox News Latino article, Cruz said, “(I don’t) think what Washington needs is more compromise. I think what Washington needs is more common sense and more principle.” His statement on compromise runs contrary to the basic tenets of Texas State’s current Common Experience theme, “A Global Odyssey,” which is embraced by a student body filled with young voters. Additionally, Cruz’s unfavorable comment concerning compromise does not line up very accurately with some Texas State initiatives.

The current Common Experience theme centers on building an extended unity across different groups of people on campus and, by extension, the global community. According to the Texas State Common Experience webpage, the theme is an initiative designed to cultivate a sense of community and common intellectual conversation throughout the campus. Among Texas State students, the theme fosters understanding and unity. Students are encouraged to participate in on-campus activities to develop a cross-disciplinary, multi-organizational conversation. However, the communal sense is not exactly replicated in Washington.

In contrast to the Common Experience theme, Cruz’s statement on compromise seems to eradicate any opportunity for a non-partisan conversation in Washington. His comment on compromise appears to discourage any bipartisan participation to solve the nation’s problems. Today’s national issues, including the federal deficit and the gun control conversation, will impact the future of Texas State students. Texas State’s Common Experience theme encourages discussion and participation. In his duty to represent Texas State students, Cruz should come together with other senators to participate in finding solutions to national problems through compromise.

Texas State officials and the Common Experience theme encourage students to enhance their involvement in the intellectual life of the campus and awareness of issues in the community. Cruz’s comment seems to weaken the conversations in Congress to solve the nation’s issues. Politicians must maintain their principles, but not when their reluctance to compromise them detrimentally affects the governing of the country. Cruz should support the notion of compromise and join Texas State in cultivating a common intellectual conversation across different groups. The wrong signal will be sent to students around the state if their U.S. senator does not appear to support the idea of discussion and conciliation.

Texas State’s initiatives persuade students to give discussion and compromise a try. In turn, Cruz’s position is surprising in that he would seemingly close the door to compromise so early in the new legislative session. Cruz must be open to representing all the different aspects of the state. It is important for Texas to have a senator who contributes to solving important issues that will affect university students now with initiatives such as debt and federal spending on education and in the future. Texas State students deserve to have their values represented by Cruz.

Compromise is common sense in a democracy. This university supports the idea through its Common Experience initiative, and numerous Texas State students may agree that it is necessary. Senator Cruz should represent Texas State values and be open to compromise in Washington.