07-12-2010, 12:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by LeeE
I have great respect for James and am glad to see a good slate of people running for office. I don't agree with him on this one, though.
With only one de facto political party in America, the Wall Street/War Party, we have no real voice in national affairs and little on the state level either. We need our councils across the country to speak out on our behalf, regardless of their actual sphere of influence, imho.
Otherwise, what we got in the way of "democracy"? Bupkis.
My position is really one of practicality.
No matter what one is doing -- serving as member of Council, working in the garden, cleaning house, whatever... -- when that person is dong one thing, they cannot be doing something else. I want to focus what makes a difference instead of just what makes me get attention.
For example, I have had people ask me what I thought about toxins at Pohakuloa. I hate 'em. Period. Can I, as a Council member, expect to get the U.S. Army to do the right thing there? While I never say never, there is no reason I should expect to. Instead of using my time and the County's money doing that, I'd rather try to deal with what I am confident a Council member can do something about and that no body else is going to do anything about, such as County roads, waste' (i.e., "trash", which the State mandates the County do), Hawaii County police, zoning, etc.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park