Pssst… Let’s Solve Some Problems While We’re fighting

The politicians may be fighting in public, but they’re also solving day-to-day problems in secret.

(photo source)

A Thorny matter of health insurance is being discussed by politicians in Beirut. The Future Movement and Hezbollah both present position papers to guide the deliberations. A civilized debate follows, and several hours later, a compromise is reached and decisions get made. 

If you think this is some fictitious dream scenario of an idealized, distant future, think again. This is actually happening:

Lebanon’s polarized political camps came to an agreement on at least one issue on Wednesday, as parties and professional associations approved a blueprint for social policies including national health insurance, a pension system, education and employment. While representatives from the leading parties in the March 14 governing coalition and the March 8 opposition reached consensus on a comprehensive social policy for the country, participants agreed that implementing such sweeping initiatives — such as the long-controversial national health insurance — faces many of the same political obstacles that have fed the nearly 18-month-old deadlock between the rivals.

You see, the Lebanese only disagree on matters of Identity, future visions and war and peace. Trivial matters like health insurance, entitlements and labor are all “technical details” that can be managed with civility and discipline. And you still say we can’t get along?