The Rock County Board has devoted a considerable amount of time this spring and early summer to debating and voting on social issue declarations.
The resolutions that have come up, some ultimately approved and some not, have sought to recognize Pride Month (approved) and to take a stand against racism (approved). There have also been various iterations of taking a stand against illegal immigration and child sex trafficking (failed).
The debates have been divisive and a distraction from other matters of importance, such as what it means for Beloit residents that the Rock County Health Department and Veterans Service Office both appear poised to close offices in that city.
We would urge the board to take a temporary or perhaps permanent break from considering such resolutions, due to the distraction, as well as for other reasons.
Weve become as a nation and as a local community so politically and socially polarized that its virtually impossible for such votes to not be split. There will never be broad consensus.
The votes cast for and against these resolutions in recent months appear to have been rooted in the political and social ideology of individual board members. They dont appear to have been driven by a collective desire as a governing body to support the right of everyone to demonstrate, on any issue of their choosing. Had the latter been the case, we would have expected all the resolutions to be approved.
We would have liked to see the Rock County Board either approve all the resolutions that came before it, in the interest of supporting everyones right to peacefully speak out on any issue, or to have steered clear of making any such endorsements.
Theres little hope going forward of such resolutions receiving an undivided endorsement. And so, in our view, its time for the Rock County Board to back away from considering any more of them. Theyre only sowing division, not moving us forward in any positive, productive or united way.