I’ve been a member of the Democratic Party of Hawaii (DPH) since 2006. And a member of the State Central Committee (SCC) since 2010.
In all that time, I’ve served in various positions along the DPH strata, from the precinct level to SCC Secretary. Save one, I’ve attended every convention in that time. I was fortunate to be a delegate to the National Convention in 2016.
I became active originally as a member of the now-defunct Progressive Democrats of Hawaii (PDH). An organization that I helped build and led for a time. I was largely welcomed and treated with kindness and respect. Many progressives who became active in the Party after me were not.
And since 2016, there has been an active and growing hostility toward progressives inside the DPH. Deference to a political establishment and maintenance of a do-nothing status quo was and remains the trademark of the organization.
Values
When I was motivated to become politically engaged, I spent substantial time deciding whether I wanted to join the Green or Democratic Party.
My political bent has always been left-of-center. I never really cared for the Democratic Party and didn’t believe they genuinely shared my values. The Green Party was anemic and had a track record of no real accomplishments other than as election time trouble-makers. Though they much more closely aligned with my political worldview.
Ultimately, I joined the DPH for two reasons.
One, I was fairly convinced there was no real, viable path for a 3rd party to become significant in U.S. politics. Ideals are great, but if you’re not part of the conversation, they don’t amount to much in practical terms. As much as I disliked Democrats nationally, it made more sense to try to improve things “from the inside”.
Two, after reading the DPH Platform, I was impressed by how much was included that I supported. At the time, I believed it might be the most “progressive” platform of any Democratic state party.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before I learned that the Party “leadership” didn’t seem to be terribly interested in the Platform as a set of principles so much as suggestions.
The Big, Empty Tent
Over the years we’ve seen several prominent Republicans in elected office join the Party.
When I first joined, there was no vetting process for them. Simply, they had to sign a membership form and they were Democrats. And it wasn’t like their values or ideology had changed. They were just tired of being in the “minority”. Changing parties gave them access to all the power and influence that being a Democrat in a super-majority Democrat state provided.
Since then, processes have been established to “vet” elected officials already in office who want to switch parties. It’s somewhat involved and ultimately requires a vote by the relevant county party leadership (if I recall correctly).
I could be wrong, but I don’t recall any former Republican who has ever been denied membership.
Add to this vacuous adherence to party ideology, there are long-time party members who, were they elected in just about any other state in the country would almost certainly be so as Republicans.
The old-time party faithful takes pride in the DPH’s welcoming “big tent”. They see no problem with elected officials who show no adherence to the Party’s platform or rules. Or worse, express contempt at any attempt to force such an adherence.
When a party is willing to accept any viewpoint, value-set, or ideology, it doesn’t practically stand for much of anything. To support everything is to support nothing.
Intransigence & Ambition
And this has been the staple of the DPH during the time I was involved. While there are certainly exceptions, they are rarities.
During my time as Legislation Committee Chair, I made efforts to bridge the divide between legislative leadership and the Party. Without exposition, they weren’t interested. I was either ignored entirely or metaphorically patted on the head and then ignored.
Elected Democratic officials see the DPH as a means to an end. A tool to be used, but otherwise ignored. Any attempt to enforce adherence to the Platform or Rules is met by them with swift annoyance and opposition.
On the other side, DPH leaders are largely terrified of angering elected officials who are also the Party’s primary benefactors. Piss them off and they may shut off the spigot, leaving the Party cash-strapped and (even more) irrelevant.
Add to this not-wholly-unfounded fear a desire of some (many?) of the Party’s leadership to maintain their “titles” and “status” inside the DPH and, by extension, Hawaii politics. The result is a “big tent” party like a circus intent on entertaining itself rather than the public.
Put another way, the Party has largely abandoned any policy-driven principles in exchange for a seat at a table. A table at which no one is interested in hearing from them. Better to be at the table and ignored, I guess, than to not be at the table at all.
I’m Out. At Least for Now.
I’m glad I joined the DPH. In spite of my rising frustration in recent years, I’m proud of the time I spent as an active member and, arguably, leader. I’m glad to have met and worked with the people there.
During my tenure, I’ve been one of a handful at the center of history. The historically large State Convention of 2008 which saw a surge in membership, participation, and the largest attendance in the Party’s history. I was lucky enough to be one of the 100 or so people who were tasked with the enormous responsibility of helping choose the successor to Senator Dan Inouye.
As Chair of the DPH Legislation Committee, I believe the work we did was good. Though the good faith effort to engage with leadership at the legislature was largely ignored.
As Secretary, I drafted rules for using the Party’s Membership Database. It has since been substantially amended.
Though not an official member, I worked with leaders of the Native Hawaiian Caucus to redraft their bylaws and revitalize the group.
And as an active leader and member of Progressive Democrats of Hawaii, I helped attract progressives to be active members into the Party. Though some have since moved on to other areas of engagement, some remain.
If 2022 sees the final end of my participation in the Party, I will be happy with what I accomplished while active. I don’t know whether that will ultimately be the case or not.
What I know is this. I need a break.
I’m sick of senseless, meaningless, and empty fights. I’m tired of being looked upon with disdain by some who dislike my willingness to question establishment authority. Other progressives who still have energy for this particular war will continue on. Without me. And I appreciate them for it.
Unless something changes in me or inside the DPH, I’m not sure I’ll ever return as an active member. For now, the boot-lickers and sycophants can have it.