State legislative leaders on both sides of the political aisle are acknowledging the rising tide of destructive discourse under the Capitol dome, which most recently reared its ugly head in the form of so-called pro-Palestinian protests by the left’s socialist members.
A bipartisan powwow hosted by the Denver Gazette and Colorado Politics on Friday brought together Democrat leaders Julie McCluskie, House Speaker, and Senate President Steve Fenberg, with Republican House Minority Leader Mike Lynch and Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen.
Leaders reportedly blamed outside forces.
The leaders blamed social media, or, more precisely, the culture that’s fueling politicians’ penchant to grandstand for “likes,” instead of hunkering down to solve major policy problems.
More precisely, we would blame Gen Z and millennials who came of age getting constant attention by throwing adult hissy fits, also known as protesting, and demonstrating every social cause both real and imagined while recording it all on social media.
How else will we know they are good human beings unless they break rules and laws and drop F bombs while behaving like total dicks for clicks?
It’s one thing to write mean tweets. We all have the free will to turn off social media and ignore that.
It’s another when elected officials chant violent slogans and call for the elimination of an entire population based on their religion or skin color.
We’re looking at you, state Reps. Elisabeth Epps and Tim Hernandez, Denver Democrats.
The intentional lack of civility had been on display most recently during the November special session on property taxes, in which Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver, shut down House proceedings when she joined pro-Palestinian protesters in the gallery and shouted down at her colleagues.
Days later, state Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Greenwood Village, a first-year lawmaker, announced she would resign this month, citing the “sensationalistic & vitriolic nature” at the Capitol. She has since endorsed one of Epps’ primary opponents, Sean Camacho, who also earned the backing from 11 current state lawmakers, including eight members of the House Democratic caucus.
It’s time the progressive left in Colorado and Democrats nationwide wake up to the destruction their policies cause when sanctioning the belittlement or reverse discrimination of any person based on their skin color, religious beliefs, or sexuality.
Instead of pro person over another person, human beings would do good to practice at being pro peace — through strength when need be.