Civility: Our Democracy Depends On It

by Gail Riecken Former State Representative, District 77

The topic of “civility” in politics or should I say “the lack of civility” has been a popular discussion on TV.  The picture is that politicians on every level of government have sometimes forgotten to treat each other or you and me with respect or politeness or worse. Civility is a question of politeness or respect and without it our representative form of government suffers.

It is civility that offers elected officials the assurance they can advocate an issue with another legislator and remain friendly to that person after debate. A commitment to civility assures you and me, as advocates, we will be treated with respect. Civility, quite simply, just makes good sense if you want to get your point across or you sincerely want to listen to your constituents.

I can’t speak for local politics but what I found at the Statehouse, when I was there, was the practice of civility at its best. I could not speak more highly of the skill of civil discourse by fellow legislators, whether in committee or on the floor of the House.

There was an incident, however, involving me and a two fellow Republicans and, if you can believe this, a lobbyist, where I wish the lobbyist had been committed to the concept of civil discussion. Here is the story.

This lobbyist didn’t like what we three legislators were doing to advance basic health and safety legislation to protect children in day care facilities. He accosted me in the hallway after a hearing on the matter, and then went to the female and male Republicans in their offices. He poked (just not touching) at me and screamed, screamed at the female Republican and grabbed the arm of the male Republican and screamed at him.

Although not a registered lobbyist, this lobbyist is not one you would expect would lose his cool. He is a popular speaker and is well-known around the State. When Session is scheduled, you will find him lobbying and at least on that particular Session day, he could be found trying to bully us legislators with whom he didn’t agree. (In all fairness, several days later he did offer sort of an apology.)

Would civil discussion where we could find ways to meet in the middle have avoided this outburst?  I believe so.

Civility is above all the touchstone of our democracy. Civility offers a platform for exchanging opinions and differences in a non-threatening manner. And that exchange, it offers a greater chance of a better resolution in the end.

It is my thought that in our everyday life we should practice civility and share our thoughts in a positive manner. My husband and daughter tried to do this with my granddaughter’s school and were turned away. A certain mean little boy had twice grabbed my granddaughter’s glasses and thrown them on the ground and stomped on them. All my daughter asked was to talk with the parents. My daughter, who has just left law and gone back to teaching, is a caring person. The discourse would have been positive for all. How stupid of the school corporation or how stupid a law they say prevents such discourse.

We are in a time period when our State and national legislators are on a break and hopefully back home.They won’t be practicing civility with one another but they will with you and me in town halls and private meetings. I listened to reports of Congressman Larry Buschon’s town hall on Friday. It sounds like there was a lively discussion. Whether you agree or disagree with the Congressman on issues, maybe the Congressman will decide to come home more often and practice what I understand he did well, civil discourse.

And that is my view from the outside.

Gail Riecken

Former State Representative, District 77