Vermont Business Magazine Today, Speaker Jill Krowinski and House Minority Leader, Representative Pattie McCoy, made the following joint statement on the rise of hateful, threatening rhetoric in Vermont politics:
“We disagree all the time in the State House. Sometimes we agree on the problem but advocate for different solutions. Other times, we don’t even agree on the problem! This clash of ideas is an important part of the legislative process. But when we have difficult conversations, and when we’re coming at an issue from different viewpoints, it’s absolutely vital to recognize the values we share: We all care deeply about Vermont and Vermonters, and we’re all trying to solve the challenging issues that confront us.
“Here in Vermont, we’re not insulated from the dramatic, toxic shift in political discourse happening across the country. The tone of debate and disagreement now often devolves into assuming the worst of the other person or party. All too often, we see this lead to demonizing comments, personal attacks, attempts to humiliate, the erosion of trust and the questioning of the other side's motives and moral character. This undermines debate and democracy in the State House and in our communities.
“While there are many examples we could point to this year, no issue stands out as much as the debate around Act 181 and the future of land use in our state. It’s been an incredibly important debate. We all heard from many Vermonters with deep concerns about the law and what it could mean for the use of their land. These concerns were valid and we’re responding with changes to the law. While many viewed this as a successful process — to listen, to respond, and to change course by amending Act 181 — others shifted the conversation to personal attacks and threats targeting the legislature, and specifically the Chair of the House Environment Committee.
“We have seen social media and email messages targeting Representative Amy Sheldon that are truly reprehensible. The Vermont Legislature is a ‘citizen legislature’ made up of Vermonters who work hard — on a part-time, seasonal schedule — to represent the voices and priorities of the people who elect them. These personal, threatening attacks are unacceptable anywhere, and especially in Vermont, where we have a long history of civil debate and respectful dialogue. Is this shift in discourse how we believe we should settle disagreement among neighbors — no matter how valid and important — when we’re trying to solve tough problems? Do we believe these attacks are acceptable because they happen behind a screen? It’s an alarming trend and we cannot let it become the norm.
“Differences of opinion and healthy debate are important to democracy and strong communities. Vermont is a small state, and it is imperative to remember that we are all neighbors trying to make a better future for the next generation. If we do not change course, and address the decline in civility in our discussions, we will slowly lose the sense of community that is unique to our state. We will continue to do our part in encouraging healthy debate in our legislative process. Especially when the stakes are high, we hope Vermonters will help encourage thoughtful conversation and discourse at home and in our communities, whether in person or online. We can work together to build a better Vermont, and how we get there — and how we talk to each other — matters.”
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Vermont Business Magazine