OPINION: Common sense and a more perfect union

Last week, I discussed five ways we can overcome the social hostility that prevents many Democrats from expressing their party’s values to folks with whom we might disagree.

The fear of expressing our views in the company of others keeps us divided as a society. We must find the courage to confront and overcome this fear.

Direct civil conversations are a building block of participatory democracy. We may differ on some issues, but conversations about our shared ideals overcome fear, hostility and divisiveness. Conversations reveal widely shared values, such as public libraries and schools, affordable housing, and reliable infrastructure like high-speed internet. This list could go on.

When we talk, and listen to one another, we achieve a degree of mutual respect and understanding. Sometimes we even arrive at agreements.

I saw this happen in March and in May when voters from both parties overwhelmingly supported public school levies.

To talk about our values makes sense because it reaffirms our commitment to one another.

About a year ago, I began contributing this weekly opinion column, known as A More Perfect Union. At the same time, the KCRCC Chair began a similar column, Common Sense.

My aim was to give voice to the views of the Democratic Party. And I imagine the KCRCC chair wants his views out there too. Both columns are worth continuing, because they are better than not voicing our views at all.

But these columns are not a dialogue. We talk right past one another in isolated monologues. So, even though my intent is to reach out to readers of all stripes, my columns appeal mostly to readers who already agree with Democratic Party values. And I venture to say the same is true of the KCRCC chair.

In addition, although these columns are fact checked by The Press for accuracy, there are two narratives in this country. Each side has their own set of facts that they believe are proven, and with an opinion piece, they are often sharing those separate sets of "facts." Our opinions go unquestioned. As a result our columns are like social media platforms, they don’t enlighten anyone who doesn’t already want to be enlightened.

It is important for readers to see both sides of an argument and question the assertions we make. One side of an argument, if it is accepted at face value, can be deceptive and spread disinformation, or “alternative facts.”

A disregard for the truth paves the way toward irrational opinions like antisemitism, anti-LGBTQ+ views and white supremacy. Irrational opinions threaten people and institutions. Accepting these repugnant views is contrary to American and Kootenai County values, all the ideals that we hold in common.

After a year of Common Sense and A More Perfect Union, we should make politics a dialogue. If we can examine similar issues from different political viewpoints, these columns could become more beneficial to our readers.

And that makes both Common Sense and A More Perfect Union.

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Evan Koch is chairman of the Kootenai County Democrats.