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Sunday, March 11, 2007Reflection before the Battle
By John Valentine
President of the Utah Senate Close elections get tense. When beliefs are heartfelt the temptation to demonize opponents can be very strong. This is especially true in the final weeks of a hotly contested vote. But the voucher debate seems to be heating up early. We’re probably 20 months away from a public referendum and the discussion already seems to be devolving. One blogger I know to be a good man seemed to publicly accuse the other side of the debate of lying because she referenced poll numbers different than the ones he hopes are accurate. Here’s a poll conducted five weeks ago. Here is the more recent poll. No one is lying. These are two differently worded questions on different dates, from different polling firms. In a tight race with strong-willed, sincere people on both sides, name-calling can be incendiary. This is just one example but we could easily find several, on both sides of the issue. I sincerely believe that less contention makes it easier to see the truth of an issue. Careful deliberative discussion makes for better policy decisions. The Education Voucher debate could be the best policy discussion we've ever had - or it could be the bloodiest political civil war in Utah’s history. It's our choice. So far, it’s been fairly respectful. I was pleased to see the Wall Street Journal characterize the debate in the House as "more philosophical and substantive than demagogic." If they can do it we all can. I want to see a hopeful, informed, edifying process. Both sides should police themselves and ensure the debate does not degenerate into negative emotional reactions, empty sloganeering, personal attacks, or name calling. We should all recommit to an educated, respectful discussion. Utah is a class act. Eventually, we’ll make a decision. What our children will remember - and the most significant lasting impression they will take from this debate is how we treated each other in the process.
posted by The Senate Site at 5:34 PM | Link
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15 Comments:
Amen, Senator Valentine, thanks for the reminder.
I just logged on to add a comment to a previous post here after reading in one day a second attempt, this time by the Utah Taxpayers' Association in their March newsletter, to discredit Carol Lear. It is subtle but still not okay to try to undermine the confidence the public ed folks have in a bright, talented, and dedicated attorney. An apology from the Senate Site for the first attempt, would be very much in line with the spirit of your post. One from UTA would be kind of nice too.
Thanks.
I agree. It seems Utah educators definitely deserve an apology from the Utah Taxpayers Association, not only for the aforementioned but also for its offensive use of the word "educrats" in another blog entry dated Feb. 1. Thank you.
Thanks for your insight, Anonymous #1. No offense intended. Our comments were meant to provide accurate information to the interested public, not undermine anyone personally.
Oh my heck! The Utah Taxpayers Association used the word "educrats". I've never been so offended in my life.
I can't believe the Utah Taxpayers Association has used such terminology when voucher opponents have NEVER used such degrading language against the association. Nope, they've never accused the association of being anti-child, greedy, anti-teacher, etc etc.
I went to the March newsletter at the Utah Taxpayers Association's website. Here's the other offending comment for all to see: "The Utah State School Board has asked Governor Huntsman to veto the measure based on legal counsel Carol Lear's claim that it is flawed. Click here [link to bill on legislature's website] to read for yourself."
Wow. I can't believe these guys can get away with publicly disagreeing with Carol Lear, a fine public servant. Who do these people think they are? Do they have a license that allows them to disagree with educators? I bet they're not even certified.
Thanks for outing these folks.
Pretty good satire, anon #3.
President Valentine is a class act also. (See today's utahpolicy.com.) Thank you for the reminder of civility.
I agree that "less contention makes it easier to see the truth of an issue". Another perspective on that concept is that we happen to be more contentious when we ourselves are not completely confident as to the rightness of our cause.
Whatever happens, it won't be the end of the world. But people on both sides desperately fear that it will be so.
President Valentine -
I appreciate this post very much. Thank you for reminding us that even though we may disagree, it is important that we keep cooler heads.
I did spend many hours observing the Utah Senate this session and I do appreciate your calm and level-headed leadership. Let's hope that crusaders on both sides of the voucher discussion will follow your lead.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
John - that wasn't a comment as much as it was a cry for help. After tonight's anger management class, you should visit with your clergyman.
Hope to hear from the kinder, gentler J-man soon.
That wasn't my comment site-dude.
That was a comment made by a voucher supporter on another blog by a good man.
Why did you dismiss J-Man's original post?
Sorry J-man. I thought the poetry was yours.
Darrell: I round-filed the post because it was a mean-spirited, inaccurate, personal attack on a democrat we respect with a touch of profanity and no real policy value.
Seems like we ought to discourage that sort of thing.
Yes we should, but the fact remains that this is the type of crapola a good Democrat receives on his blog from a voucher supporter.
Love your site-dude.
Point taken. Gracias.
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