09-30-2014, 01:51 PM
quote:
Senator Ruderman is NOT faring well with his colleagues and knows that he couldn't pass anything but gas at this point.
This is a million dollar statement. Puna loves to embrace its counter-culture identity. Puna takes pride in "not being like other districts." With so many transplants, many in Puna have NO IDEA about Politics in Hawaii and how this political history trickles down to Puna. So we elect representatives and senators that make us feel good...ones that look like us...stands up for things we believe in. Russell is very much a music playing health food businessman who got elected. He so fits the bill of Puna. But does that translate to good politics?
In Hawaii, it still is, and always will be about politics, politricks....and having friends. Be as PUNA as you want, but if you don't have others believing (or supporting) your Puna-ness, then don't be surprised when others don't support laws that would affect Puna. Us against the world? Maybe. But for reasons as plain as day: It's all about Politics and friends. There is nothing about the current make up of Puna that Oahu representatives can connect to. Puna's legislative future greatly depends upon our elected officials ability to make friends and connect with the majority group with most political power and influence. This has been quite elusive in recent times.