The Audacity of Hopelessness

Although the New York Times leans left, I cannot dispute that their writing is exceptional. In 2008 and 2016, they published opinion pieces entitled, "The Audacity of Hopelessness" satirizing Hillary's presidential campaign losses to Obama and Trump. (For those unaware, Obama's autobiography was The Audacity of Hope).

Hillary's shocking belly-flop in the political arena incited the "Women's March" that took place in January 2017. Some of my friends invited me to march; but I declined, figuring that I could support them in other ways without compromising my integrity.

The Republican Minority Leader at that time, Rep. Beth Fukumoto, decided otherwise. Maybe it was her personal conviction that overpowered reason - whatever it was, the highest ranking Republican leader joined the "Anti-Trump" army.

Of course, I was infuriated when I read the headlines while having my morning tea and organic omelette (with free-range chicken eggs, mind you). I might have even sent a few mean tweets in annoyance. However, this was nothing compared to the bloodbath of insults, heckling and booing she faced by her own party members. A Honolulu lawyer that knew I was interested in politics and witnessed Rep. Fukumoto's treatment chided me saying, "She was treated the worst by her own party members - are you sure you want to be a part of that?"

A year later, Rep. Fukumoto is a Democrat, Rep. Andria Tupola is the Minority Leader, there are only five House seats and no Senate seats in the legislature.

Two thousand years ago, the Master said this:

"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." -Matt 7:1-3

Oftentimes, when a cause feels righteous, our visceral reaction is to demolish anything that is in opposition. We start off well-intentioned (as all things do - sigh) but little-by-little, we morph into crusaders, sidelining and persecuting those who disagree with or don't conform to our political philosophies.

So while Conservatism is the most correct way, I do not think it's the only way, especially in light of Hawaii's unique history and cultural diversity. Nevertheless, a tempered argument for Conservative values ought to be shared because: 1. There are way too many lefties in the legislature and we need a balance (one kid on a see-saw is no fun); 2. There are too many contentious and radical rights trying to force feed the public goose; and this only creates more wariness (although I do love a nice fois gras - but I digress).

So while I think Rep. Fukumoto was wrong, I also think that we could have treated her better. As a consequence, she gained public sympathy, whereas the GOP cultivated greater distain by locals. My fear is that if the Hawaii Republican Party in cannot change, then the entire party will be snuffed out.

As my CorePower yoga instructor said, "More darkness cannot overpower darkness. More hate cannot overpower hate."

We need to lighten up and chill out; if not, we become a monster ourselves and it's not a good look.

Namaste.