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The national epidemic of political violence has found its way to the Aloha State.
When Nani Medeiros resigned her position as the point person for Gov. Josh Green's housing initiative, she clearly stated that she resigned because of threats against herself and family. She had to resign to protect her children.
What had Ms. Medeiros done to deserve this? She was trying to implement the governor's strategy to address our state's disastrous housing crisis. Some folks who opposed the governor's policy direction focused on Medeiros.
The local media reported her statement dispassionately. Nothing special. There was no outcry. No demands that those associated with the threat-makers stop it. There was just an apparent acceptance that these kinds of threats are a fact of life in our digital age.
The use of political violence to affect public policy will unhinge our community, just as it has done on the mainland. If you disagree with a policy, attack the policy, not the person. And absolutely never their family.
Our democracy depends on a certain level of civility. Without it, the good people who serve in government services, teachers, public health workers, volunteer board members, legislators, poll workers and even members of the governor's staff will choose their own safety and sanity over public service.
When good people who are trying to do the right thing are driven out of office, the whole community will pay the price.
Dave DeLeon
Haiku