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The July 17 issue of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser carried on its front page the headline, “Ed Case far ahead in race for seat in Congress.” Not being particularly superstitious, the headline still scared the heck out of me.

Don’t get me wrong. I am a strong supporter of Mr. Case and his bid for Congress. What frightens me is the possibility of voters seeing this headline and thinking their vote is no longer required.

Absentee ballots have been mailed. This represents a significant percentage of the total vote. I would hate to see those who are currently voting through this method simply let their ballot sit on a shelf somewhere in their home, not having exercised their right and responsibility to engage in the electoral process.

There are many claiming we as a nation are tearing ourselves apart. I disagree. While we may have justifiably lost faith in many institutions we once looked to for guidance, leadership and good governance, I believe we still have more in common with each other than we have that separates us.

As a nation and a people, our history has proven we have weathered many storms. Democracy is always on the edge. What makes us think here and now is any different?

Of all the candidates running for the 1st Congressional District of Hawaii, I find only one who can effect change in a positive direction and help to alter the direction or perception that we are no longer one nation. I believe that candidate is Ed Case.

What frightens me is the possibility of voters seeing a headline and thinking their vote is no longer required.

John F. Kennedy once said, “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.”

A psychologist friend of mine in Canada, made the comment that he viewed our politics as a descent into meaninglessness and we don’t know the way out. We have arrived at another time in our history where we need people to represent us that are not hawking the same message of discontent. A more rational approach to government is needed.

Mr. Case has a record of supplying just that sort of leadership and can help us to find the way out.

The Primary Is Critical

In a previous Civil Beat article I wrote, “We are faced today with a more divisive federal government and people since the Vietnam War. We have an executive branch of the government that has grown in power far beyond what the founding fathers had envisioned. The checks and balances are in jeopardy.”

Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

The upcoming primary is critical. A plurality wins; no majority required and no runoff. Whoever gets the highest number of votes goes on to the November general election. The winner of the Democratic primary will in all likelihood win the general election and go on to represent Hawaii in the House of Representatives.

Anyone can vote in the Democratic primary; party affiliation or preference doesn’t matter. The voter can just pick the Democratic ballot in the privacy of the voting booth or their own home and that decision remains private.

In other words, voting in the Democratic primary for this seat is the only way practically to influence the choice of Hawaii’s next member of Congress and through them the national, state and local issues the next member will face.

I implore those who are voting via their absentee ballot to give their vote to Mr. Case. Let’s send a true representative to Washington who has the experience and the desire to work for his constituents.

Similarly, when election day arrives, get to the polls and perform that one act that is part of maintaining a strong democracy. Please vote, and please vote for Ed Case.

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