Let's debate but not boo

As the Utah State GOP Nominating Convention nears, the discussion of booing came up between me and a few other delegates.

I have volunteered too many hours to agree that it is ok to boo. We all know that a boo is far more than just the opposite of applause. For example, when you are displeased with your child or disagree with a neighbor or another family member, I hope you don’t boo them but continue to communicate with them and educate them and work out the differences with integrity and fairness.

The time and place for disagreement is in the arena of public debate (and trust me, I love this process) but at a nominating convention it is very rude to boo. I may disagree with an elected official but I voice that through debate and with my vote. I say stand for principles and never compromise on them but we must conduct ourselves with greater dignity than a boo. The opportunity to petition the government and make changes is before us every day. I applaud the right to offer a dissenting opinion (and have done so many times myself) but I will never boo.

When we boo we disenfranchise many who want to participate but don’t understand the boos. One of the things that I choose to do is encourage more to participate (we need to reverse the level of apathy and compliancy we have in the public). If as a party we have just become an angry and frustrated people that participates little in the public debate, but then feels the need to boo and hiss, then we will not be the party of ideas and leaders for the future. We need full discussion (and my actions show I support full and vigorous debate) but let’s not let rudeness enter into the debate.

I agree with Jefferson (and other Founders) to warn our elected officials (so let’s lobby them and educate them through active participation) but I hope we are above booing. Tell me how booing protects our freedoms and I might change my mind but I think it is fair and honest discussion that leads to good public policies (policies that defend the constitution and protect the family) we need… and not booing.

We can and must do more to express our disagreement with government than boo. Booing closes doors of discussion and we need to close the accountability gap through increased discussion and participation.