The Democratic Party of Hawaii - Inside and Out

The Bernie Sanders campaign in Hawaii kicked off in June of 2015 with just a few dozen hopeful people gathered at the Pearlridge Zippy’s. Most of us knew nothing about local politics or campaigning, but we were inspired by Bernie’s message of fairness and equality, and determined to learn.

So learn we did. We were lucky to have experienced members to guide us. With every meeting, and every new volunteer, our movement grew and became stronger. We became stronger. Countless hours were spent organizing, sign waving, and phone-banking, getting Bernie’s message out to voters. After nearly a year, our efforts paid off when more than 33,000 people showed up to cast their votes on March 26th. Bernie won by a landslide, garnering 70% of those votes. We had pulled off a huge feat in a state with one of the lowest voter turnouts in the country!

But Bernie asked us not only to work for him, but also to learn about and get involved in our own local Democratic Party.  Most of us stayed after the Presidential Preference Poll so we could participate in precinct elections. By the end of that day, many of us proudly walked out of those meetings as delegates, precinct presidents, and district chairs, eager to take on our new responsibilities.

We were strong. We were organized. We were ready for the Republicans. But we were not ready for the opposition that would lie ahead from inside our own party. Within days of the PPP the challenges started. Election results were questioned or changed. Paperwork was submitted late or in some cases not at all. County and state delegates had problems getting convention credentials. Signatures were invalidated and refused.

We naively took officer positions and joined caucuses thinking that we were going to be able to dig in on the issues and start making the changes we so desperately need. In some cases, our ideas and energy were welcomed, and we have found a new home in the Democratic Party. But we are not welcomed everywhere. Some Caucus doors feel shut to us. Some volunteers talk openly at Party Headquarters about the strategies they use to block participation by new members. Some hardline Clinton supporters monitor our posts on social media, hoping to find evidence of “disloyalty.” A rule change has been proposed to ban new members from voting in future caucuses unless they join at least two weeks in advance. The excuse is to improve “logistics,” but the discussions have made it clear the aim is reducing turnout from “newcomers.”

We know that change is hard. But at the end of the day, the Party needs new ideas, new energy and new members. We need each other. The issues we face are growing daily, and the Party has not kept up.

This weekend, the Democratic Party of Hawaii will hold its biennial State Convention. Nearly 1000 delegates from across the state will gather at the Sheraton Waikiki to vote on rule changes, resolutions, and the election of party representatives. The party has just witnessed a massive influx of enthusiasm and energy from Bernie Sanders supporters who are ready to change the world from the bottom up. We believe in his vision for social and economic justice for all. This convention will serve as a test for the party. Will the Party regulars make room at the table for the new Bernie members? Or will they slam the door in their face? Can we build a Party of inclusion that fights for change? Can we recognize our differences, while still working together on those goals we do share? Will we be a party of inclusion or exclusion? The answer will be decided this weekend. The future of the party, and of the state, is being decided.

No One Chooses To Have Nothing

This is obscene. Everyday I see people posting things about how we can't afford to raise wages, or give handouts to hungry children, or have single payer healthcare. They throw around words like "Socialist" as if somehow that makes me dumb or small. Yet, everyday these same people watch television shows and read magazines that show elaborate photo ops of just how well those at the top are living. I don't care who they think is lazy. Where is our humanity when so many believe that it's okay for one tiny group to have yachts, jets, summer, fall, and winter homes while simultaneously believing that millions upon millions of people are simply choosing to have nothing? No one chooses to have nothing. I understand that life isn't fair and there is no possible way we will ever share everything equally. No one is asking for that. We are simply suggesting that maybe we could address the basic needs of the masses before making it possible for the elite to have a yacht. Every yacht and private jet around this Earth is an insult to each and every human being who is fighting tooth and nail to survive. 

Don't Underestimate Millennial Voters This Presidential Election

I saw this post a couple of days ago. A lot of the commenters, fellow Bernie supporters, were rude and dismissive of this girl's statement. While I can see how some generations may be offended by some of the word choices, that's just an issue of generation gap. This is simply how young adults talk to each other. It doesn't offend us at all. I completely agree with her statement. The world we inherited when we reach adulthood was not the world we had been told about. Many of us work multiple jobs, have no health insurance, live in shitty apartments, drive shitty cars that break down constantly, we never see our families, we NEVER go on vacations, we shop at Plato's Closet, our phones get shut off periodically, and we never have enough even for the things we need. The struggle we face is new and unique to our generation. We know that the struggle has been continuing and you all had your own unique and similar struggles. We thank you for every protest held to fight those battles. However, do not undermine what is happening now by saying things like ,"Whatever, I've been fighting for your rights since before you were born." While we appreciate that, maybe a better approach would be to not take it personally (unless you are specifically one of the "adults" saying that youth only like Bernie because it's the hipster thing to do, then, yes, take it personally). Instead, maybe try, "We acknowledge the very real struggle that the young adults in America are facing. We acknowledge that we have not seen this range of income inequality in our lifetime. We acknowledge you are adults and your passion is real and we stand with you." Or something nice like that. 

Let's not fight each other. We're in this together. 

Why You Should Sign Senator Sanders Petition for 12 Weeks Paid Family Leave

     We were humans long before we were Americans. Sometimes it can be hard to remember that with all of the deafening media telling us this is the way things are supposed to be. Humans have evolved in countless ways and societies have shaped different groups to believe many different things during the time we have been on this lovely planet. It is high time we stop allowing ours to tell us what kind people we should be and what kind of lives we should have.
     These are our only lives, I think. When it all comes down to it there are only just  a few things that will really matter to us in the end and those things are being stolen out from under us.
     We will remember the time we spent with family. Or we will regret all the time we didn't. I was lucky as a child and I had a family member, my grandmother, Gama, who was able to stay home with me. We underestimate how valuable that can be to a child. Gama made my breakfast every morning. She packed my lunch and made sure I had everything I needed for school. She picked me up from school everyday and stayed on top of the work I was to at home. When she cooked us dinner she always let me help and eventually she taught me how to cook for myself. She taught me how to sew, braid hair, and tie my shoes, amongst many other things. I would not have had any of these things in daycare or after school program.
      Let me say before I continue, I do not think every mother should be forced to stay home to be considered a good mother.  I am a mother, but I like going to work everyday and there's nothing wrong with that. I merely think that every child should have a caretaker that is with them consistently throughout their life and is able to spend time focusing on their individual needs. This can be a mother, father, grandparent, aunt, friend, or nanny.
     Unfortunately, this is not an option for many. It wasn't that long ago in American history that a man or woman could work full time and make enough for the other parent to stay home. This wasn't just the reality of the educated or the CEO's. A man could work full time as a janitor, or a shoe salesman, or a construction worker and make enough for his wife to stay home. That is no longer reality. Nowadays, many couples are not only both working but in many cases one or both has multiple jobs just so they can continue to be broke. How are we supposed to spend time with our families if we have to work nearly every minute of our lives just stay alive? There's a word for that. It's called slavery.
     I have three children. When my youngest child, Crosby, was born I went back to work after 2 weeks. This was incredibly hard for me for multiple reasons but it was decision that I really had no choice in making.  Though I worked full time (up until the moment my water broke at my desk), many weeks even overtime, I was unable to save up enough money throughout my pregnancy to take off the 6 weeks that I was technically allowed. Not to mention, even though my husband and I both worked full time we were still so far under the poverty line that we qualified for food stamps, day care assistance, and thankfully, Medicaid. Two weeks after my beautiful son was born via c-section I cried my eyes out before suiting up and heading back to work. I will never get that time back. I will never hold his tiny brand new baby body again. I lost that time. It was taken from me. Every parent should be able to enjoy that time and more.
     There isn't an experience in the world quite like having a brand new baby. It's one of the most memorable and love filled times that many will ever experience. That is what life is all about. We were not put on this planet to work ourselves to death and miss out all the joy life has to offer. Life is a gift and we need to cherish those special moments and do everything in our power to make sure others have the ability to as well. All parents, whether it be mothers, fathers, adoptive parents, or otherwise, should be given the gift of a minimum of 12 weeks paid family leave. Click on the link below to sign if you agree.


https://go.berniesanders.com/page/s/paid-family-leave?source=shemtw150611

Vote for Bernie Sanders in 2016!

For the past couple of years I have been following Bernie Sanders closely and hoping against hope that he would run for president (I've also been very impressed with Elizabeth Warren, but that's for another day). My dream has officially come true as Bernie as officially entered the running! I could not be happier and you should be over the moon with me! Bernie Sanders is one of the last remaining politicians who isn't swayed by big business and actually cares about the people he has been elected to represent. I deeply, truly feel that Bernie Sanders absolutely will represent the people's interest.

Here's just a few reasons to vote for Bernie.

1. Our economy can no longer afford to allow these huge corporations to get away with not paying their fair share of taxes. The reason they are able to do that now is because they made deals along the way with politicians who favored monetary gifts over serving the greater good of the country they were elected to represent. Bernie has been in politics for decades and his track record of integrity speaks for itself. We need a president who will do what is right for all of us not just a few people on top. 

2. Bernie doesn't deny science. Arguing of actual science, the kind based on research and facts, is something that is quite hard to do which is why it is so baffling to see people publicly refute it. There must be a pretty large incentive waiting for the guy who is willing to go on live television and say climate change isn't really happening. Oh wait, there is. Science cannot be bought, neither can Bernie. We need to face reality and do what needs to be done to make sure our children and their children have a safe place to call home.

3. The American people need Bernie Sanders. The sheer level of struggle that is permeating the everyday lives of the 99% is no longer liveable. We want to live in the America where dreams come true.

4. Most importantly, we can't afford to wait any longer. My children deserve to go to a school that has enough funding to have a gym class. Things have to get better. He is our only hope. The other candidates will make pretty promises but they will mean nothing. I don't want pretty posters that scream for change. I WANT REAL CHANGE, NOW.