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The Exchange
Issue 10.14: Cunning Lingle
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September 28, 2006
What Governor Linda Lingle said on her reelection website (www.lindalingle.com) about the Sept. 23 Primary Election:
"I encourage you to vote in the Republican Primary to guarantee a better, more balanced political system in Hawai`i. A strong two-party system produces better legislation, and is truly in the best interest of all the people of Hawai`i."
What she didn't say:
Two-party systems aren't bad—when there are substantial ideological differences between the two parties. Given the stratospheric levels of corporate political action committee money both the Democrats and Republicans consume each campaign, candidate statements and actions are too often indistinguishable from each other. But in a pluralistic environment, where multiple political parties gain legislative representation based on their vote percentages, virtually all interests can get an official seat at the table. For true "balance," you have to look to Europe, where people don't seem frightened of letting Greens and Fascists sit in Parliament alongside the traditional right and left.
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