After reading this blog and all of the comments, I couldn't help but feel that the situation here is a torrent of bad data. Here in the 808 (lingo for Hawaii; area code "808"), image is everything for the political candidate. Specifically, its image funneled through endorsements and local news. But many of our denizens here aren't given much information when it comes down to finding out candidates' or incumbents' business plans for their potential term/terms. Nor is their record, in some cases. We don't have the NYTimes or WSJ. We have the Star Advertiser. We must rely off word-of-mouth, which is highly volatile because of personal bias; in a way, it's like playing telephone. Facts can become exaggerated and/or played down. It is hard to find anyone practically anywhere who will examine all sides of the story and then vote not in just their own self-interest, but everyone's (that felt disgusting after recalling many grueling hours of Philosphy 101 freshmen year).
There has been much drama over the previous city council election, concerning Ed Case, who bowed out to Colleen Hanabusa. Speculators felt that his endorsement for Abercrombie and his dogged criticism of Hannemann was the best thing he could do for himself politically. If Hannemann is elected governor, Case's political career is "effectively over", as one of the commentors on the blog put it. Others say that Senator Inouye's criticism of Hannemann's scare tactics was more damage control. If there are two political machines in the US, regardless of state, I would say that they are as follows:- one Democrat
- one Republican
The coordination of the parties - incumbents and candidates, alike - creates political machines (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Cooperation is much wanted. It would be nice if we saw Hannemann and Governor Lingle work together more but frankly, it's hard to when you both have different agendas and political parties. Bipartisanship is like a dream here in America, but in Hawaii, it should be a lot simpler. Or harder? We have a lot of different networks here. Ethnic groups, the church, districts, local businesses with money , foreign businesses with money, etc. Its hard to get representation from everyone and then act on what's in the best interest of 80% of the people, as opposed to 5-10%. Anyway, in summary, local politics and a lack of information are what holds back the representation of the majority of our population. This includes people just not voting - but this isn't what truly scares me.
What truly scares me are the scare tactics that the Hannemann team employs. What scare tactics, you ask? Tough 7-foot samoans advising you to vote for a certain candidate? Allocation of millions of $ that help single entities as opposed to a whole district/island? (my stance on the Super Ferry was different; what you did not find in the papers was off-record: Lingle telling Justice Ronald Moon that Hawaii politics has always favored single entities/businesses) This whole rail deal - a $5-6B project that the Fed only gave verbal approval, not written approval that they will back $1.5B? (Even if this does fly, on elevated tracks, no less, remember that "borrowing is but a tax deferred") Backdoor deal making with developers without transparency to the public? Certain pamphlets that discriminate on ethnicity? Indirectly attacking an opponent's spouse? What is this? These practices are perpetuating the world of Hawaii politics with corruption, the exact opposite of our state motto. The young adults and keiki will learn to bully, blackmail, threaten, and use realpolitik in a way that will only seek to fulfill their own ambitions, not the needs of the people, when observing such practices. Never for a moment should we give in to the talk that scare tactics are necessary to accomplish things. Bullying will simply never be progressive. Moreover:
Inclusiveness is Hawaii's strength, not exclusiveness! That's what keeps Hawaii Hawaii. It is important as a voter to again, keep in mind the 80% of Hawaii - hopefully community interests before social interests; I'll let readers discern the two themselves - not 5-10% special interest population network, as well as a long-term Hawaii.
It is for the above reasons I will vote for Neil Abercrombie (as well as Peter Carlisle for mayor). Things won't be perfect under his administration, or any administration for that matter. But right now he's the candidate Hawaii needs to choose in the upcoming elections. He represents more of Hawaii's communities than Hannemann ever will. I strongly urge others to vote for Abercrombie and vote! Even my grandparents in their 90s are politically active and mark my words, they will vote. Every vote makes a difference. Family, friends, and peers will be aware of your beliefs and concerns for Hawaii and take them into consideration
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