Traditional marriage works best, but politicians are afraid to say so

OF ALL the articles of faith of the modern western politician, one must surely be the greatest: ‘where there is division, let us bring compromise.’

It eclipses all others, including the noble but impractical idea that, where there is division, you should identify the right thing to do and fight for it.

Over much of the terrain covered by politics, the compromise principle works well. By accommodating the aspirations of all parties, it prevents wars and divvies out resources in a more or less equitable fashion.