The Signs Of Two Future Voters
The Joaquin siblings’ signs
TANNYA JOAQUIN PHOTOS
Anyone have a cure for election-itis?
For some reason, this year’s campaign cycle seemed especially long and drawn out. For me to say that says a lot. I love covering elections and political races, and have enjoyed the opportunity to moderate many spirited debates for Campaign 2014.
But voter fatigue is real, and I can’t blame anyone. Seriously, unless you live under a rock (and I’ll bet the candidates still would have found a way to find you), it’s been impossible to avoid the political messages.
Like the negative ads running around the clock over the past week. Even if you “tuned out” to avoid that last-minute media blitz, your own home was no safe haven. I counted at least 25 political pamphlets in three days’ time. Perhaps my neighborhood was considered at play, or perhaps everyone has been bombarded.
I can’t say for sure, but I do know the only thing worse than opening my mailbox to find another slick ad was seeing my latest Hawaiian Electric bill. Yikes!
On top of this, I’ve had to moderate a political debate on the home front.
Yes, we’ve had a little sibling rivalry going on at our house — all because of the U.S. House race for 1st Congressional District between Charles Djou and Mark Takai.
My son and daughter took sides.
My son Kaimana started asking questions about the political signs that invaded our neighborhood in the runup to the election.
He noticed a lot of Djou signs throughout Hawaii Kai, and commented Djou is “totally going to win because he has more signs.” Then, as we would drive closer to town to his school and see more Takai signs, he would backtrack and say, “No, I think Takai is going to win.”
Kaimana decided that he wanted Takai to win — not because of Takai’s legislative record or that he’s a veteran or Democrat. No, my 6-year-old son simply liked that part of his name “Kai” is part of the candidate’s name.
Ah, the all-important name recognition.
Now, my daughter Hana would counter by saying “I want Djou to win.” Coincidentally, she would give the same reason “because he has my name.” Uh, no. But Hana is only 3 and likes to copy what her big brother says.
Kai decided that Takai needed more political signs in Hawaii Kai, so he started cranking them out. Then, a light bulb went off, and he thought, why make signs with part of his name when he could make them with his whole name?
He even made some signs for me. Just when I thought the election was behind us, now my son is making me sign wave.
My name is Tannya Joaquin and I humbly ask for your cure for election-itis.
tjoaquin@hawaiinewsnow.com
