President Donald Trump says he is an excellent negotiator. Well, I don’t think so. A dictator, maybe (my way or no way).

Trump could learn a lot from the Mediation Center of the Pacific, which has excellent mediators.

For example, Republicans — or rather Trump — want $5.7 billion for the wall, whereas the Democrats are offering $1.3 billion. So close the gap.

Democrats can offer $2.3 billion, plus a provision allowing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) children to remain in the country and apply for citizenship. Thus, Trump would get more for border security and, most important, the government will reopen.

Surely some compromise like that would be far better than both parties acting like children and doing nothing.

Toby Allen

Hawaii Kai

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