In 2022, economic publication Moneywise ranked Idaho the 10th rudest state in the nation. Three years later, and in the midst of a competitive election season, media reports and anecdotal evidence suggest its rankings are unlikely to improve. According to Moneywise, there are rude drivers and people are mean to service providers. A legislative candidate’s rantings and competing jabs about Proposition 1 in a North Idaho forum give the impression that political interactions in Idaho are also disrespectful.
Often that’s not true.
A recent candidate forum in Caldwell is a case in point. Eight Congressional and Legislative candidates came together to respectfully discuss the experiences and perspectives that would best suit elective office. None of the candidates shouted or belittled their opponents.
University of Idaho hosts public policy forum on open primaries and ranked choice voting
At the end, everyone stood shoulder to shoulder for a friendly group photo (see on the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or on the Idaho League of Women Voters Instagram). The photographer’s invitation to smile was “polite”. Throughout the event, a respectful audience from across the political spectrum asked important policy questions.
Even more impressive was the calm, thoughtful demeanor that participants brought to a bipartisan ranked-choice voting demonstration that same night by the League of Women Voters of Idaho, co-sponsors of the forum. Although there were some off-handed comments during the demonstration, partisan discussions took place in the hallway after the forum. It was also a sign of respect. The purpose of the demonstration was not to change minds, but to help participants better understand what they were voting for and against.
Local leagues in Moscow, Kootenai County, and Pocatello all hold similarly dignified and civil forums. Three more events are scheduled for Boise on October 15th, 22nd and 24th. The League of Women Voters of Idaho does not have a section on running non-issue candidate events. We ask candidates to follow strict rules based on the principles of civil debate, and we understand that other organizations do the same. It helps that the U.S. League has sponsored candidate events for more than 100 years (nearly 75 years in Idaho).
The lesson here is that people in our state are more willing to engage in political conversations with their neighbors when they participate in structured, in-person events. In this field, there is no opportunity to hide behind anonymous online posts or signs of negative campaigning.
Community forums like this cannot, by themselves, heal political wounds or save American democracy. They are the beginning. If our collective will to be less rude in the political arena also transfers to how we drive and treat service providers, our overall rudeness rankings could change significantly.
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