After months of what seems like a stream of never-ending assaults on democracy, the recent special election in Douglas County proved that our system of checks and balances remains intact and even, dare I say it, healthy.
Voters in this suburban Denver metro county overwhelmingly shut down an effort by the county commissioners to steamroll a change in county governance that would likely have given them more power and control.
It was a shellacking: 71% of the voters pushed back and voted no on home rule. But that is just part of the story. In a world where hyperpartisan politics and attitudes are the norm these days, this election brought together people from all political affiliations in all corners of the county — both urban and rural — to let our elected officials know we are paying attention, and we don’t like what we see. And it proved that although we might all disagree on any number of issues, we can all coalesce around something that affects all of us.
I found that very heartening and reaffirming. It tells me this tribal society we have been experiencing is not glacially frozen. We can find common ground and work together for a greater good. For the first time in what seems like ages, we saw Democrats, Republicans and Independents actually talking with and listening to each other. Perhaps this experience can help melt the freeze that has prevented such cooperation from occurring for too long.
After all, we are all in this together. We can all learn from each other if we just take the time to listen. That makes everyone stronger and better. Cynics might call my Pollyanna attitude naive and simplistic. But I think this is a golden opportunity to chart a new course toward civil (and civic) discourse.
Congratulations to everyone who worked hard to educate and inform the voters about this home rule issue and process. And congratulations to everyone who voted. You did your civic duty as citizens of this county during an off-season, off-year election where low turnout was part of the plan by the backers of this initiative. You asked questions. You paid attention. You participated. Felt good, eh? Let’s do it again next time!
KC Neel
Castle Rock