Making recommendations in an election is a tricky business. Do you choose a candidate that best articulates your beliefs or just pick a winner? Do we choose to be part of a candidates’ main support or be a bandwagon jumper? The main purpose of recommendations is to help a candidate get elected. This is in hopes that you will be able to gain access and articulate your position to gain their support. It is not so a candidate blindly supports your position.
As an example of this an elected official can vote for your position 100% of the time, yet be in the minority. They must also be able to support and present your positions so that your positions are passed. They must be willing to lobby others on your behalf.
A recommendation is not just a list of candidates but also comes with abilities and responsibilities. First it allows us to give money to candidates. Unfortunately in Hawaii, history has shown that most candidates that run out of money for media buys close to the election lose. Second it allows the candidate to use the HSTA logo on campaign materials. But most importantly it allows HSTA members to wear their shirts and actively campaign for the candidate.
If teachers want their voice to mean something they need to learn to deliver the vote for the recommended candidates. I firmly believe that when HSTA members start bloc voting they will begin to gain more political influence.
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