ALLRED: Stands on common ground

Our political discourse had become so polarized and irrational that I was afraid that we had lost the ability to govern ourselves. Then I heard Keith Allred speak recently. He is running for governor on a platform that seems practical, civil and supportable.

Mr. Allred's background is in conflict resolution. For the last five years he's been the president of an organization named The Common Interest (TheCommonInterest.org). It's a non-partisan organization aimed at finding the common ground - the parts of an issue that most of us can agree upon - and then lobbying the legislature around that agreement.

Approximately 1,600 Idahoans are members of this organization - Republicans, Democrats, Independents, liberals and conservatives. The members choose the issues. Then the staff researches each issue and prepares a policy statement covering the facts and possible, practical policies to resolve the issue. If 2/3 of the members who study an issue agree upon a policy, then - and only then - does the organization push the legislature in that direction. It's an approach that's been supported by legislators from both parties.

So, while Mr. Allred is running on the Democratic ticket, he intends to govern using this "common ground" approach. If you want to vote for a person instead of a slogan, I urge you to find out about Keith Allred. He might be just what you're looking for.

DEBORAH FISHER

Coeur d'Alene