Exercising power of the vote ADVERTISING Exercising power of the vote Previously, I have expressed that Hawaii Island is the “federal taxation without representation” poster child, District 2 being Oahu-centric. Some suggest that Hawaii Island become the 51st state. Notably,
Exercising power of the vote
Previously, I have expressed that Hawaii Island is the “federal taxation without representation” poster child, District 2 being Oahu-centric. Some suggest that Hawaii Island become the 51st state. Notably, people do not like being ruled from afar, as demonstrated by the Boston Tea Party. Big Island land mass and population would qualify as a state, but the Constitution prohibits state-splitting – exception made for West Virginia.
I believe that our unique consideration should be that we are surrounded by water. Presently, our congressional and senatorial representatives are effectively elected on Oahu, able to win without getting any Big Island votes at all. I know that my presidential vote will not matter, either. The archaic Electoral College guarantees that my “freedom-giving-forefathers-died-for” vote is nullified, regardless of which candidate I select.
Accordingly, I thank West Hawaii Today for allowing me to vote for the Best of West Hawaii in a number of categories. Perhaps not scientific, (a businessman could conceivably stuff the ballot box), but it’s fun.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to suggest a new category (best restroom) and register my vote (Lowe’s men’s room). The design of the Lowe’s building is such that the roof’s drainage system flows down a pipe alongside the urinals. Rain or shine (when the air conditioning system provides the constant drip), a man can hardly wait to go. Accordingly, I salute the architect.
James Donovan
Waikoloa
