Where can politicians go to find their New Year’s resolutions?

Each year during Christmas week, I re-read Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” a novella far better, and more textured and nuanced, than any of the movie renditions. The story of the old, sour, lonely miser visited by spirits who show him the error of his ways and the path to a new, happier, generous life is ingrained in the culture.

It’s worth reading during the pre-New Year’s period, because it is really a story about keeping the idea of Christmas alive all year, shaping one’s plans for the year to come – to set resolutions that need setting and are worth keeping.

That’s true for me, and it’s also true for Colorado politicos.

The most discussed resolution the Colorado legislature has proposed for 2024 is to restore a sense of civility in discourse among members and decorum in the House and Senate chambers.

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Much needed, no doubt, although last month’s special session childish, bigoted displays were just those that got the most attention. And if they merely achieve a return to surface civility, and declare victory, legislative leaders will have set the bar for members’ conduct well below what they, and our state, need.

The reality that must change, if change is welcomed, is that we are governed by political Scrooges.

Ebenezer Scrooge, one recalls, was not simply a tight-fisted miser, but one who reveled in the isolation of his contrarian, anti-social views. His solitary life was one of sneering superiority over his struggling, naïve lessers. Those who had contrary views from his – who celebrated Christmas – were gullible fools, making merry beyond their means, all the while earning his contempt.

And he eagerly informed those who, wished him a Merry Christmas, sung a carol at his office door or sought a donation for the poor that Christmas is a scam, a “humbug.”

What would Scrooge have gained if the goal of the Spirits was simply to ensure he conducted these affairs with consistent civility? If he shook his head and mumbled “humbug” behind others’ backs? Nothing but a more pleasant demeanor wrapped around a rotting, cynical contempt for all he encountered.

The deeper problem at the Capitol isn’t a lack of civility.

It is an overflowing cauldron of contempt, aimed at colleagues and constituents alike. And many of our progressive legislators, who profess a philosophy of compassion and empathy, need a visit from the Spirit of Sessions Past to see how they have been behaving.

They might see a change in course is in order.

The fact is one can treat a person civilly while you view them and their views with contempt. And it is contempt that is rotting the Capitol to the core.

Consider what the normal give-and-take of crafting legislation has become.

Those in power have shut down, for example, processes to hear from stakeholders who have expertise on complex issues. In bill after bill, often rushed through the process, authored by friendly liberal interest groups, narrow minded, self-assured progressives have too often steamrolled even the most technical concerns.

Ask real experts who have engaged with these Scrooges on behalf of job creators. They’ll tell you tales about legislation that may have important and worthwhile goals but cannot be implemented practically. Or of potential negative, unintended consequences that will hurt the very people it is designed to help.

These constructive concerns, offered with respect and a desire to prevent needless damage or, more often, embarrassment for the lawmaker, are often dismissed out of hand or swatted down hard with a loud, “humbug!”  And the motivations and character of those who dissent are challenged.

What would it take if our legislative Scrooges heeded the Spirit of Sessions Past? Would it cost so much to listen, to weigh views and engage with, rather than dismiss, disagreement?

Generosity of spirit is not only good for lawmaking, but also even better for those who reject contempt and instead open their ears and their minds.  Not everything you think you disagree with is humbug.

The upcoming session won’t be one of harmony, nor should it be, between the parties or even within the parties.

But a New Year’s resolution to reject the inner political Scrooge, casting aside raw contempt, and going and beyond simple civility, could make the beginning of 2024 tolerable at the Colorado Capitol instead of toxic.

Sean Duffy, a former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Bill Owens, is a communications and media relations strategist and ghostwriter based in the Denver area.