As the first unofficial announcements are made about who might be running for what slots in the 2020 elections locally, there will be plenty of time to do your homework in researching the candidates and their respective positions on issues of importance.
Surely, there will be some familiar names and faces in the so-called “major” races — the 2nd Congressional District (as Tulsi Gabbard announced she will not seek re-election) and the race for Honolulu mayor (as two-term Mayor Kirk Caldwell finishes out his tenure).
But what might be of most interest to those who cry out for change will be newcomers that ultimately decide to enter these local races in 2020.
On the national front, Congressional approval ratings haven’t reached the 30 percent level in over a decade! Yet 75 percent of people polled disapprove of the job being done by Congress. So how does one account for the fact that over 90 percent of incumbents get re-elected? Well, one answer is that most people, when asked, either blame the “other” members of Congress (not their specific legislator) or simply don’t feel like they are provided with worthwhile alternative choices.
This probably parallels what happens locally. The small percentage of 18-plus adults here who actually vote (which represents under 40 percent of all those who can register to vote) would probably tell you that it’s the “other” state senators/House reps’ fault that things don’t get done, or the voters simply don’t know or don’t like the alternatives offered … again and again.
The Founding Fathers, often referred to in praise by those who are unhappy with the ways things are leaning in Washington, D.C., never intended for there to be a full-time ruling class of politicians. They never expected money to be a driving factor in who wins, nor did they envision special interests would essentially run our country. Perhaps there are caring, empathetic, smart and patriotic people who opt not to get involved in politics.
Perhaps the political system simply isn’t all it was once cracked up to be, or meant to be, or should be. And that’s a shame. But, maybe this is the year we’ll see some exciting new names and ideas locally on Election Day. Change is good, as long as it’s good change.
Think about it…
This article was published in the November 6, 2019 issue of MidWeek.