Honolulu Star-Bulletin Local News
We turned on our tape recorder and asked first-time voters to talk about the issues and political process; look for it every Tuesday during election season.
Who: Luis Mendez
Age: 23
Residence: Waipahu
Background: Leeward Community College psychology student; U.S. Army veteran
Presidential politics
Clinton? He wouldn't serve in the Army, and I just got out of the Army. Dole - he served. As a veteran himself, I would support Dole. Political campaigns? They're OK, I guess. They (candidates) just always blame each other, but then they talk a little bit on things - about what they're going to do for people. That's what's bad about campaigns - they keep going against each other. It's supposed to be what they're going to do for people.
Activism
Are young people involved? Yeah, but they should be more - they should be more involved in the community and politics. Apathy? People just want to do what they want to do ... Everybody needs a form of government ... The people in the United States - they complain about why we have these laws and why we have these taxes. People don't have direction. They don't have goals. If you don't have goals, you don't care what you're doing, just taking up air space. People can participate (in elections), and can have fun and can learn about politicians and issues. More (people in) communities should get involved in elections.
Education system
I don't think there's anything wrong with education. But it should be beginning with the parents. You get to learn society's past mistakes and try to make it better.
My generation - I would tell the people - especially the kids that don't grow up with much - don't follow your mom's and father's failures.
You've got to overcome that and take it as a learning experience. Go to school. Education is never-ending.
My English is not good. I try so hard for people to understand. It makes it hard for me to do the things I want to do. But also it makes me more aggressive in what I want to do. Being a minority, I don't want to be supported by the government. I want to help the government.
Welfare? A lot of people take money from it, and they're not even supposed to be on welfare.
(With) young children today their parents are not being responsible - to take care of them at home.
Role of Hawaiians
This is ... the country of the United States. Obey their (U.S.) laws too. Let's work together. Let's not just be enemies. They (Hawaiians) need to educate themselves. If they want to become leaders, they need to become smart leaders.
Abortion
I think we should have abortions. A female should have a choice if they want to have the baby or not.
Mayor's race
I'll vote for Mayor (Jeremy) Harris. I've seen him a lot of day-times and night-times. He was out in Chinatown in night-time. He does have a day job, too. He has a 24-hour job, the mayor does.
Prosecutor's race
I'll vote for (David) Arakawa because I have a lot of friends who are voting for Arakawa.
First Vote Archives