From the heart of SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s Governor, Spencer Cox, made his way to Washington on Wednesday to shed light on his innovative Disagree Better initiative.
As the current chairman of the National Governor’s Association, Cox participated in a crucial discussion in the nation’s capital. The conversation revolved around the current state of bipartisanship in America and the pressing need to mitigate the growing divisiveness.
With a mission to foster a culture of respectful disagreement, Cox shared the stage with Gov. Wes Moore, D-Maryland, at the prestigious Economic Club of Washington, D.C. The duo addressed questions about how government, states, and communities can elevate their response to each other and work collaboratively to achieve common goals.
In a time where consensus seems elusive, Cox is determined to propagate his and Utah’s vision of setting aside differences and instead, focusing on forging meaningful solutions.
“The art of disagreeing in a respectful manner — engaging in healthy debates — staying true to your principles,” Cox emphasized. “Maintaining your core values without belittling or tearing apart the opposition, and in the process, discovering common ground where we can collaborate to solve problems.”
When asked about the origin of this growing divisiveness, Cox pointed towards loneliness as one of the primary causes.
The human need for community, coupled with the double-edged sword of social media, has significantly influenced how we perceive ourselves and others, Cox explained.
“We never used to define ourselves by our political affiliations,” he reminisced. “During my childhood, I was oblivious to the political leanings of my town’s residents or my congregation’s members. But now, it’s the first identifier. It’s the first thing most people use to define themselves.”
Cox passionately urged people to lend an ear to others, emphasizing that the willingness to listen can trigger significant waves of change.
Disagree with this initiative
Disagree with this proposal – it will only create more division and conflict.