Gridlock is also called political stalemate, it is a situation when there is difficulty in passing a laws if it doesn't satisfy the needs of the people.
Grid lock occurs due to the filibuster rule, according to it there must be a super majority of 60 senators to bring a bill to the Senate floor. It happens when the control of both houses of presidency and Congress is split between rival parties.
It prevents the government from enforcing arbitrary laws, US was founded by rebelling against the tyrannical rule of British Crown. The framers wanted a provision to prevent government from becoming tyrannical. Gridlock enforces the concept of limited government and protects the individual rights and liberties from government encroachment by passing arbitrary laws.
I think the answer to that question is that the United States would go to whatever length to contain the spread of communism and stop the United States' former ally the soviet union.
Surface value can be considered as the compensation or reward for a certain action. Normally, big companies used to offer bonuses or presents to the employes due to their great development, performance and time dedicated to the company and its growing process.
