Civility is not a sign of weakness

“Civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof.”

President John F. Kennedy said this in his first inaugural address, and it is a good reminder for us all, especially as legislative session draws to a close. Over the last few months, contentious policy fights and emotional debates have filled the chamber floors and committee rooms. The issues facing Louisiana are usually easy to identify, yet often quite controversial to implement – this year was no exception. Tempers have flared and nerves are raw.

In order for democracy to work, a robust debate and fair public process must be available. That process can be messy, argumentative, and aggravating, though it outweighs the alternative of having no real public participation at all. Winston Churchill was right when he said, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.”

While being the best of the worst may be good enough for some, America has always striven to be much better than just “good enough.” We can all do better when it comes to exercising our constitutional rights without throwing civility to the wayside.

For instance, the debate over whether the state should hold the line and follow through on the Common Core standards is a hot topic this session. Our position has been clear: these standards should be implemented, and we should have a strong testing assessment to gauge our success in educating our kids against the other states with which we compete.

We, like every other state, now compete in the global economy where the jobs of tomorrow require increased skills in reading, math and critical thinking. For decades, our state failed to teach kids adequately in reading and math. We have no choice but to aim higher.

Louisiana ranks 48th in reading and 50th in math when compared with other states. As a country, the United States is 17th in reading and 26th in math when compared with other nations. We must do better.

Throughout this debate, some stakeholders opposed to the standards have argued the standards are actually curriculum; that the local control guaranteed and protected by these standards is not adequate; or that the standards are either too weak or too strong, depending on the perspective.

While we respectfully disagree with all of those positions, I do respect any stakeholder’s right to raise substantive concerns. Similarly, those that support Common Core deserve the same right to respectfully articulate the position that strong standards and assessments serve our state well. Substantive debate on such an important topic is healthy and will lead to good policy for our people.

The same can be said for our friends in the energy industry who employ thousands of Louisiana citizens and contribute billions of dollars to our economy. Most of these employers are small to mid-size companies that have hired our neighbors and family members throughout the years. These are in many cases employers that have put their own capital on the line and have called Louisiana home for their entire lives.

The employees of the energy industry in this state have always been proud of their contribution to the nation’s energy supply and have worked hard to do their part to fuel this country. They are faithful stewards of Louisiana’s great outdoors and the state’s numerous environmental treasures.

Despite the great Louisiana tradition of this important economic sector, some have taken great steps to trash the energy industry and unfairly paint them with a broad brush. Their motives may be unclear to some but their unfair tactics are plainly seen by all.

Other states have always looked to Louisiana’s balanced model of developing our resources while also enjoying our outdoor recreational activities. For generations, we have done both. We are the sportsman’s paradise and the energy capital of the country. We do both and we do them both well. Excessive rhetoric that tears apart this tradition in order to prop up litigation is not right and not in the best interest of Louisiana.

It is time to tone down the rhetoric and instead focus on substantive and civil debate.

Condoleezza Rice said, “I don’t believe in confrontation. That seems to me outside civil discourse and we all have to find ways to be civil to one another.” She is right, but don’t forget, she is no wallflower. She has a strong track record of taking tough stands and holding hard lines, while also showing civility in stressful policy disputes throughout her career.

That is a lesson worth remembering and emulating, especially this time of year.