Brainstorming A Path Forward

by Gary Hooser

Screaming into the wind is not enough. While somewhat therapeutic, it will not solve the challenges before us.

We can march, boycott, call legislators, send emails, and take the miscreants and oligarchs to court – and we should and we must.

At the end of the day, we must somehow chart a course that brings us out the other side, not just intact, but better off from where we entered.

Regardless of political party, Democratic, Republican, Reform, Libertarian, Socialist, Natural Law, Constitution, Democratic Workers, Green, or Independent – we’re all in this together.

My hope is we might find common ground, block the poor decisions of President Trump and Musk, and work together towards a brighter future – for all of us.

Yes, I’m a dreamer. But “You gotta have a dream; If you don’t have a dream, How you gonna have a dream come true?” (South Pacific).

To move forward together, we must believe without question every human being, regardless of skin color, country of birth, size of bank account, age, religion, abilities, disabilities, or sexual identity, is entitled to equal treatment under the law and our collective diversity makes us better and stronger.

Kindness, empathy, mutual respect, and giving those with less a hand up when our situation allows us to do so – are essential attributes of citizens in the world I want to live in.

Those who have more must give more. Those who consume more, have a greater responsibility to replenish and preserve the commons.

Those who bring harm to people and the planet must be held accountable. We must be able to sleep safely in our homes protected by community-based law enforcement professionals. A strong, independent judicial system is a must.

We deserve food, water, air, and a natural environment that’s clean and healthy. We support government oversight that values health, and environmental protection above industry profits. Regulatory capture is unacceptable.

The corporatization of healthcare must end. Medicare for all must be the norm.

Anyone working 40 hours per week deserves a living wage and a safe work environment. All workers are entitled to organize and collectively negotiate with their employer.

Waste and fraud within government is unacceptable and a comprehensive long-term strategy must be developed to address this issue.

Violent criminals must be prevented from entering the U.S. Those here illegally found guilty of committing violent crimes must be deported or incarcerated.

Others who’ve fled their countries due to political strife or societal hardship must be offered options that preserve their safety and human dignity.

We live in a country of abundant wealth. Those at the top must pay their fair share.

The U.S. must embrace its role as a force for democracy and peace in the world.

We must shift from being the largest supplier of military munitions on the planet to being the largest supporter of education, healthcare, agriculture, and energy.

We must expand our interconnectedness with both friends and adversaries rather than pursue a path of isolationism and confrontation.

Corporations are not people. Dark money must be eliminated. Full public funding of elections, with safeguards to prevent abuse, must be the norm.

Our voting systems must be secure, have independent oversight, and include an auditable paper trail.

89 million Americans, 36% of the country’s voting-eligible population, did not vote in the 2024 general election (University of Florida Election Lab).

Hawaii was at the bottom with only 50% of voters turning out,

Both locally and nationally – if just a few more voters showed up, and a few more candidates who share our vision threw their hats in the ring – we could flip this whole thing on its head.

It’s not about which political party you support – it’s about core values, getting involved, and taking ownership of our democracy.

GARY HOOSER is a former Hawaiʻi State Senator and Majority Leader.