It’s time to stand up and say ‘no’ to intimidation and extremism in Idaho politics

Idaho has become (or continues to be) a proving ground for political bullying. A man asks when it’s okay to start shooting political opponents at an event in Nampa. School board trustees resign after an angry mob showed up for a meeting about masks in Coeur d’Alene. Neighbors of Victor’s mayor are disparaged by “protesters” outside their homes.

None of these incidents are acceptable, yet they continue. Why? Because as a tactic, intimidation is cheap and effective.

Because we all allow these tactics to go unchallenged, we welcome more of it. Those who wish to impose their will on the entire community continue to intimidate elected officials to force them out of office.

They label those who disagree with their dogma “communists” or “woke” without any evidence.

They organize under false banners of “freedom” and “conservative” to keep many of us on the sidelines because it’s blasphemy to disagree with a group that puts “freedom” in its name.

Just because someone claims they stand for something does not make it so. We all must think critically about what they say and do. Any group that uses mob tactics to intimidate and silence is not about freedom. They are not secure in their “conservative” ideas because they will not debate them where democracies debate.

Their goal is to make the other ideas go away without debate. They want Idaho to look like they envision, and they will do whatever they think necessary to win. But it should never be about keeping a county a certain color. It must be about Idaho being a great place to live for everyone, for Idaho to be a home for all to grow and be the best we can for our families and our communities.

Their Idaho is a magnet for extremism.

For the same reasons many of us stay quiet, extremists take the easy road, as well. It is much easier to come to Idaho and spout lies about elections and public health than it is where they come from. So they come here, which they are free to do. Forcing them out is just as wrong as what I accuse them of today.

I just ask that they discuss ideas with an open mind and honesty in their hearts. I promise to do the same for them. I demand they stop using intimidation as a tactic to silence those with alternate opinions.

Fear or regret. It’s a choice we all have to make, whether we are honest to ourselves about it or not.

Most of us shy from the uncomfortable because it’s easier to stick our heads in the sand. But in doing so, we chose regret. We might not feel it tomorrow, or next week, but eventually regret will come. Why didn’t we do more when we had the chance? Because we did not want to know fear; we did not want to feel distress.

I know I’ve lied to myself about my responsibility in the past. But I cannot anymore. I do not want to, but I must. From now on, I choose facing my fears in confronting intimidation tactics up front. I will not allow regret to creep in later. Because later is too late. Once the liberal political group stops meeting out of fear of being murdered, it is too late. Once the school trustee resigns, it is too late. Once the mayor’s neighbor chooses to move elsewhere, it is too late.

When you choose to face your fear and confront intimidation is up to you. I ask you to stand up for honest, safe politics in Idaho. I hope you choose to do it soon.

Because before you know it, it will be too late.

This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 11:12 AM.