Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz

Editorial from the Times-News Editorial Board

Eighty-five years ago, on Aug. 25, 1939, “The Wizard of Oz” opened in theaters, destined to become one of the best-loved movies of all time.

Based on the children’s novel by L. Frank Baum, it told the story of Dorothy Gale, who was transported to the magical world of Oz. Dorothy, together with friends she met along the way, overcame obstacles and eventually arrived at the palace. Here, they’d been told, lived the wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Dorothy and her friends were terrified as they approached the Wizard. They heard the booming voice, and then they saw the fire and smoke and the image of the self-proclaimed “great and powerful” Oz floating in front of them. Surely, he was the only being powerful enough to give them what they wanted. He was the only one who could save them.

But when Dorothy’s dog, Toto, pulls back the curtain, they discover the Wizard is just a scared man manipulating dials and levers — an illusion of power. The Wizard had figured out how to keep people in line with bluster and fear.

Now, let’s talk about a different Dorothy: Dorothy Moon, the current chair of the Idaho Republican Party.

As far as we are aware, the Times-News is the only newspaper in Idaho that prints Moon’s weekly opinion column. We do this because we believe it’s important for readers to consider her perspective, even when her columns are outlandish or incendiary. Ultimately, though, you deserve to know what the chair of the Republican Party is saying — even when the message is absurd, inflammatory, distorted or misleading.

If you’ve been following her words, one thing is clear: Dorothy Moon wants you to be afraid. She wants you to fear that Democrats will take over Idaho, which doesn’t make much sense.

Idaho is dominated by Republicans, consistently ranking as one of the top five Republican states in the country. With more people moving here as political refugees, it’s only becoming more so.

Democrats hold no statewide offices and only 17% of the seats in the state Legislature. Dorothy’s fearmongering over Democrats is as ridiculous as elephants cowering from a mouse.

A good rule of thumb: If someone is trying hard to make you afraid, be curious — if not downright suspicious.

What Dorothy Moon wants you most scared of is Proposition 1, the Open Primaries Initiative, on November’s ballot, which would open Idaho’s primary elections to all voters and provide ranked-choice voting in the general election.

At the Jerome County Republican Central Committee meeting last month, Moon debated Hyrum Erickson, a Republican from Eastern Idaho who is in favor of Prop 1.

Erickson knew his stuff, and he shared articulate explanations. Moon’s biggest argument against Prop 1 was that she and her fellow GOP bosses oppose it. That’s it. Instead of offering thoughtful arguments, she used fear.

“Prop 1 will turn us into California,” she warned.

But California is one of the most liberal states and Idaho is one of the most Republican. It’s us, the voters, who decide our state’s direction. We’re not even close to becoming a liberal state like California. The claim is laughable, but we will admit that it’s great at getting people angry and afraid.

Moon also claimed, “No Republican would vote for Prop 1.” Memo: Lots of Republicans, including former Gov. Butch Otter and other prominent figures, have endorsed the proposed measure.

The reality is that the GOP in Idaho is bitterly divided. It’s almost two parties. Power brokers in the “Moon” wing of the GOP have made defeating Prop 1 their top priority. It’s interesting that those fighting hardest against Prop 1 are the ones likely to lose power if it passes.

Eighty-five years ago, the world saw “The Wizard of Oz” for the first time. Today, Dorothy Moon is fiddling with her dials and levers, trying hard to make us afraid. Maybe it’s time to peek behind the curtain.

This article is re-published with permission from the Times-News Editorial Board.