Civility is not criminal

I am always glad to see political engagement. As someone who is heavily invested in Idaho politics, I pray for the day when we have 100 percent voter participation in our elections. Having civil discussions about the best way to improve our cities, our county, our state, and our nation are vital for our community.

Last week, it was brought to my attention that there was going to be a rally in support of President Trump. As November of 2020 draws closer, public displays of support for presidential candidates from a variety of political parties should come as no surprise. However, after reading an article about the rally in the Oct. 16 edition of the Coeur d’Alene Press, there is a need for the record to be set straight.

There was an unfortunate mischaracterization of Democrats as “criminals” and of those citizens of Kootenai County who vote for Democrats as being “misinformed.” This is a perpetuation of a false and divisive national narrative.

Here in Idaho, Democrats are focused on how we can fix a broken state legislature that refuses to fund our local schools at the level that 2019 requires. Idaho Democrats are committed to improving our state’s dismal weekly wage rate and are committed to advocating for Idaho’s workers. Idaho Democrats are committed to keeping our public lands open to the public. Idaho Democrats are the ones who have proposed an Idaho Inspector General to add accountability to a state government with the third worst anti-corruption laws in the country. Idaho Democrats fight to protect the Constitution of the State of Idaho.

If you value honesty, integrity, accountability, equal opportunity for success, hard work, the unalienable rights of our citizens, and this state’s natural beauty, I would challenge you to vote for Idaho Democrats who are fighting for those same values. I am asking everyone to not fall victim to national stereotypes but to research and evaluate every candidate based on their ability to represent your values.

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Shem Hanks is Chair of the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee.