What kind of narrative does your political party offer? Reading the recent back and forth within the news concerning purity tests, conformance pledges, and other requirements put forth by local Republican Party leaders calls to mind a classic children’s fantasy: Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time” offers a prescient metaphor.
The story tells of three intrepid children. Meg, Charles Wallace embark on a quest to rescue their father, with the help of their friend Calvin. He is being held on a planet where everything is the same, where thought and individual expression are forbidden. The children ask for help from a stranger who accedes to their request but fears being “reprocessed.” He introduces them to the Man with Red Eyes, a manifestation of the group mind-controlling the planet’s population.
Just as on the planet, some leaders within the Idaho Republican Party seek conformity more than anything else. The party recently held an “integrity violations” meeting against three legislators in their own party. The narrative: failing to toe the party line may lead to censure or threats of dismissal. (How local party leaders think they can enforce dismissal is another question.) The decision to censure has yet to be made. It doesn’t matter. The threat remains. Fear stifles civic discourse and open conversation.
One can see how the narrative of control and conformity operates in other areas of our lives. The way Democrats and Republicans nominate presidential candidates is an example. Our state’s legislature passed a law removing the March presidential nominating primary. The plan was to move it to May, but that language never made it into the bill. Efforts to call the Legislature into a special session to fix this situation failed partly due to Republican Party leader opposition. Both parties must now caucus, a more difficult and restrictive form of voting. Who benefits? Extremists and activists.
- Republicans offer a caucus open only to registered party members. Want to vote? Better declare your affiliation by the end of the year.
- Democrats hold their caucus open to anyone who has not already voted. You can register on the day of the caucus.
- Republicans give all their delegates to the winner. No minority voices are heard here.
- Democrats use a proportional system that increases the chances that more than one voice will be heard in future discussions.
Additionally, delegates nominated to attend the Democratic National Convention will be drawn from all parts of society. People of color, those with disabilities and young people must be included. Can Idaho Republicans make this assertion?
Meg and her companions eventually free themselves and their father from the clutches of the Man with Red Eyes. Meg learns that love conquers fear, and that diversity of thought represents strength.
What story do you want your political party to tell?
Todd DeVries is a local mental health professional and the state committeeman for the Bonneville County Democratic Central Committee.