Hawaii needs a vibrant two-party system to break apart the good-old-boy network between the legislators, bureaucrats and suppliers to the state.
First, we need to understand that suppliers to the state include the companies that sell goods and services to the State of Hawaii and the unions that sell human resources to the state.
The unholiest of these relationships is the union-Democratic politician relationship. The union donates to the Democratic politician and then they sit across the table negotiating terms, conditions, benefits and wages. The negotiator on behalf of the State (people) of Hawaii is dependent on and beholden to the contributions and support of the negotiator on behalf of the union.
Question the loyalties of the negotiator on behalf of the people as their loyalties follow the money trail of the union support, not the best interest of the people of Hawaii.
A functional two-party system breaks down this symbiotic relationship.
Consider this when you vote. Is Hawaii in a better position in 2012 than 2010? Are governmental policies helping create jobs in Hawaii or encouraging dependency?
While I would like to see wholesale change by unelecting most incumbents, I know that won't happen.
A fantastic start down the road to a functioning two-party system would be to re-elect George Fontaine to the South Maui House seat and to elect Linda Lingle, our Maui County favorite daughter, to the U.S. Senate.
Tim Means
Wailuku
