As we prepare for the holiday season where we share meals with family — who we may sometimes disagree with— Kansas and Missouri’s Governors are hoping we can learn how to disagree better.
Missouri’s Mike Parson and Kansas’ Laura Kelly don’t agree on much but announced their joint participation in the National Governors Association’s Disagree Better initiative. The bipartisan initiative aims to address toxic polarization and encourage leaders to find common ground in tackling the nation’s challenges.
The announcement came as the two governors sat down for a casual meeting at Q39, which has locations on each side of the state line. Over plates of ribs and brisket, they discussed areas of shared interest and explored strategies for fostering healthier disagreements in an effort to promote constructive dialogue and collaboration across state lines
Governor Parson emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two states for the benefit of the entire Kansas City region.
“In 2019, we worked together to end the Kansas City Border War and supported the relocation of two key USDA agencies to Kansas City. In 2021, we collaborated on the National Security Crossroads initiative,” said Parson. “While we have many areas of agreement, we recognize that disagreements exist. As we approach the 2024 election cycle, we want to demonstrate that even in our differences, we can engage in constructive dialogue.”
Governor Kelly echoed this sentiment, highlighting the necessity of working across party lines to achieve meaningful progress.
“Getting things done doesn’t just require working across state lines — it also requires working across party lines. That’s how Governor Parson and I have together grown the economy of the entire Kansas City region,” said Kelly.
The Disagree Better initiative focuses on promoting healthy conflict resolution and reducing toxic polarization, recognizing that such polarization extends beyond the political realm into personal relationships and everyday life. The governors aim to serve as models for constructive disagreement, illustrating that finding solutions and solving problems is possible even in the face of differing opinions.
The initiative encourages public participation, urging members of the “exhausted majority” to take an active role in overcoming toxic polarization. While the focus is on governors working together at the state level, the initiative recognizes that individuals, regardless of their political affiliation, can contribute to a more positive political culture.
“Joining the Disagree Better initiative is our way of signaling that now is the time to turn down the volume on our national political conversation,” said Gov. Kelly.
The Disagree Better campaign aims to create a ripple effect, encouraging citizens across the country to embrace healthier disagreement and contribute to a more unified and productive political discourse. For more information, visit www.nga.org/disagree-better.
Here’s the brief message from the governors at their meeting announcing their participation in the Disagree Better initiative.
