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Hawaii Democrats
trying to do an end run
around voters’ wishes

One of the most basic aspects of American democracy is the principle of checks and balances, or separation of powers. This concept, dating back to Aristotle in ancient Greece, greatly influenced our founding fathers when they wrote the U.S. Constitution.

By separating the powers of government into three branches -- the executive, the legislative and the judicial -- the Constitution guards against what has been called "the tyranny of the majority."

It's an overriding principle that has served us well over the centuries, from the municipal to the state to the federal level. And it's a principle that should be strongly defended in Hawaii state government as the Legislature's majority party once again attempts to erode the governor's powers.

In essence, the Democrats are attempting to take via legislation what they didn't win in the gubernatorial election.

Because Democrats controlled the state House, Senate and governor's office for decades, we have no experience with a healthy two-party system. As a result of this imbalance, state government became riddled with cronyism, corruption, ineffeciency and a total lack of transparency.

Hawaii voters rebelled against that unacceptable state of affairs in November 2002 when they elected Linda Lingle as the first Republican governor in 40 years. This call for change from the electorate did not sit well with many Democrats in the House and Senate, however, who fervently seek a return to the days of one-party rule.

Since the majority party does not control the governor's office, the Democratic leadership is now seeking to overstep its boundaries by weakening the executive branch. This display of brute strength is certainly not what the voters want, judging by Governor Lingle's logical, common-sense approach to meeting the needs of all Hawaii residents. Her consistently high approval ratings illustrate this point.

How do Democrats intend to undercut the administration of Lingle and Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona? Here are just a few examples of many harmful bills being set up for passage this session -- bills the general public may not be aware of:

If Democrats succeed in enacting these and other ill-conceived bills, the balance of power in Hawaii will be disrupted. This is no small matter, given the many pressing needs in our state and the inability of the majority party to enact meaningful change during its era of one-party rule.

When voters elected Lingle, they embraced her call for "A New Beginning." They wanted to see greater integrity and fiscal discipline in their government. They wanted better schools, more affordable housing, better roads, less traffic congestion and a lower crime rate. They also wanted a more compassionate government that helps those who truly need our assistance.

Will these positive changes occur with a Legislature more intent on power grabbing and catering to special interests than in working for the benefit of all our people? Judging by history, the House and Senate need to be kept firmly in check and focused on the greater good. And that should be the role of a governor with his or her powers fully intact.

What the majority party lost in the last gubernatorial election, it is striving to quietly steal back with legislation this session. The people of Hawaii cannot sit back and allow this to occur.

Regardless of who serves as governor, he or she is elected by the people with the all the powers outlined in the state Constitution. I ask my fellow citizens not to stand quietly by and let your vote be completely discounted.

Call, write, e-mail, fax or visit your elected officials (my colleagues) today and ask them to concentrate on progressive legislation focused on tax cuts, our schools, affordable housing, crime, prevention of drug abuse and health care. If we choose to do nothing to stop this power grab, future generations will pay the price.

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