" You can compromise between good, better, and best, and you can compromise between bad and worse and terrible. But you can’t compromise between good and evil. And now people look at the other side as a completely different kind of animal and say, ‘They are taking the country down the road to purgatory.’ It’s complete intolerance. "
- Gary Ackerman

In simple terms, the statement discusses the idea that compromise can exist between varying levels of quality or moral standards but becomes impossible when dealing with diametrically opposing values. For example, one might find a middle ground between something that's good and another that’s slightly better, or even between something bad and worse. However, when it comes to making concessions between what is considered ethical (good) and unethical (evil), such compromise is seen as unacceptable.

The deeper meaning of the quote delves into the nature of moral absolutes versus relative values in society. Gary Ackerman suggests that when individuals perceive others as holding fundamentally opposing viewpoints or principles—such as those categorized as evil—they tend to view these differences not just as disagreements but as existential threats. This perspective fosters a climate of intolerance, where dialogue and understanding are diminished because the perceived opposition is seen as leading to destructive outcomes rather than constructive compromise.

Gary Ackerman is an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for New York's 5th congressional district from 1983 until his retirement in 2011. His statement reflects on the polarized political environment and highlights the challenges of bridging ideological divides within democratic societies, particularly when dealing with issues that touch upon core ethical principles.