A Civil Debate

I commend Congressman Ryan Zinke and Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau on their civil debate earlier this week. At a time when it seems like politics is anything but cordial, I am filled with hope and impressed by the healthy civil discourse. It should be an example for the nation.

These two candidates have demonstrated what American democracy is really about—open dialogue and respect. The only way America can become stronger is by working together which requires us to engage with those who might not share the same principles or values. Congressman Zinke and Superintendent Juneau give us a model of how to engage across party lines, and they should be applauded for their debate.

At the National Institute for Civil Discourse, we encourage all public officials, regardless of party affiliation, to demonstrate civility and lead by example. We’ve launched a national campaign, titled #ReviveCivility, to encourage citizens, the media, and politicians to sign on to our standards of conduct and promote our principles of civil discourse. I invite you to visit NICD.edu/revivecivility to learn more about what you can do to make America a more civil place.

Politicians at all levels—national, state, and local—should follow the example of Congressman Zinke and Superintendent Juneau and stand for the kind of the civility our democracy deserves.

The writer, Dr. Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer, Washington, DC, is the executive director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse, a non-partisan organization based at the University of Arizona dedicated to promoting healthy and civil political debate.