The Candidates' Conversations Project
(V 8.22)
How Does the Project Work? Instructions List of Conversation Topics Feedback/Comments Background for Project:Most people share a sense of hopelessness, even futility, at the thought of having a truthful conversation with a politician. Polls rank politicians close to used car dealers in honesty. Perceptions persist that it's next to impossible to have the experience of communication, of really being heard, understood and supported by the Governor, a Senator or a Mayor, yet elected officials, for the most part, honestly and sincerely believe they are in-communication with us. The kinds of conversations we've been having only produce more-of-the-same. In truth our servants mirror our own leadership-communication skills. The conversations we have prior to an election create the context for all that follows until the next election. We have the ability to generate new conversations. Not the same old ones, but meaningful conversations that allow us to experience creating long-lasting mutually supportive relationships with our elected officials. It is possible, through communication, as opposed to talking, to experience an elected official as being trustworthy, honest and having integrity. The Candidates' Conversations Project addresses a barrier to the fulfillment of the desire to make a difference. It acknowledges feelings of futility, of powerlessness, of hopelessness when it comes to experiencing the experience of communication with each and every elected official. The project is designed to facilitate open, honest and responsible communications with our political candidates who ultimately, if elected, we entrust to act in our behalf. The project allows one to confront, to be-with through-to-comfort, the barrier of uncomfortableness that comes from asking another just where they stand about basic questions of ethics, integrity and morality. Kerrith H. (Kerry) King How does the project work?Read the list of thirty-six (36) conversation topics, concerns, issues and affirmations. Find the ones that are important to you. You'll notice that you agree with some things on the list and disagree with others. Make a printout and add your own concerns to the list. When a candidate asks for your vote— 1) Ask them if they'd be willing to go over a list of concerns with you.
2) Hand them the list or read it to them.
3) Ask where they stand about the things that are important to you. The concerns, agreements, issues and
affirmations are written to stimulate conversations that will make a
difference. In order to make a difference you must be willing to experience
uncomfortableness at first. It's best if you print out a copy. Then place a
checkmark alongside the concerns, issues, and affirmations, that are important
to you. Leave the others unmarked. When a candidate asks for your vote, hand them
your list and ask them where they stand about your issues. Let them know that if they agree to honor those concerns, issues and
affirmations that are important to you they get your vote. __ 1. I am willing to be supported in keeping my agreements, telling the truth
and communicating openly and honestly through-to-mutual-satisfaction.
This includes asking someone who asks me a question, "Did I answer
your question?" __ 2. When you call to talk or
make an appointment with me you will not be asked or required to
disclose to the secretary what you want to talk about.
Otherwise you might think I am putting you off, that I don't like you
or the subject matter. __ 3. I will have posted on my
office door the periods of time each week during which I will be
available for constituent-scheduled 15 minute appointments. The total
time set aside each week for constituent scheduled appointments to be
not less than 7 hours per week. I will not make other
agreements/appointments during these times, except for emergencies. __ 4. I will vote to stop roadside herbicide spraying. __ 5. I will have a fixed one-hour period each week designated for personal
communications. During this time anyone may come in and deliver any
verbal communication they wish, up to two minutes long. Before they
begin I will ask if they'd like a two-minute response from me. I will
remain silent and not interrupt them as they deliver their
communication. If they wish a response I may respond for up to two
minutes and they will remain silent. Then they may have two more
minutes to say what they need to say, during which time I will again
listen and not say anything. The whole process, even if it includes a
requested response, will not take more than 6 minutes. Longer
conversations may be handled during the above mentioned constituent
scheduled 15 minute appointments. __ 6. You have my word that all written communications to me will be
acknowledged within three working days of its receipt. Acknowledged in
this context means that you will be informed, by me or a staff member,
that your communication has been received. The
email/post card will have the date (not later than) you can expect a
complete response to be in the mail. I will also have one other person
read and initial your letter and my response to insure that your
consideration has been addressed completely. __ 7. I will make
known, to anyone who wishes to know, the source of any information I
receive about anyone. In other words, I am unwilling to hear things
which I must keep secret. __ 8. You have my
word that before I vote in favor of a pay raise for any
elected/appointed public servant I will make certain that no-less-than
90% of the public school employees (our mentors) approve. __ 9. I will
communicate in support of open and honest communications, as opposed
to "Sting" operations, in our Police Department. I acknowledge that
lying, withholding the truth, or deceit for any reason teaches our
children that deceit is OK. __ 10. I will vote
"No" to the construction of any building higher than that which our
fire truck ladders can reach. The same applies to any amendment in
favor of higher building heights. __ 11. I will not participate in any meetings that are closed to the public. __ 12. I and my
immediate family members will attend at least two communication
workshops/consultations each year. I will have as policy that my staff
do the same. __ 13. I will communicate to implement the West Point Code of Honor within our
police department.
The present unwritten code supports rookies and veteran officers
alike in remaining silent if they notice a fellow officer committing an infraction. Anyone breaking this "code of silence" by bringing an infraction to the
attention of the perpetrator or a senior officer is branded a troublemaker or a snitch (a Serpico) and is shunned. The West Point Code of Honor requires every cadet to confront anyone breaking a rule,
including the academy staff officers, and communicate in support of the rule-breaker
reporting themselves. If the rule-breaker refuses, the cadet communicates that they have
no choice but to report them. If the cadet fails to report the rule-breaker, both the
cadet and the rule-breaker are disciplined or dismissed from the academy. __ 14. I will vote "No" to any project that exports water
from Hawaii. __ 15. I will communicate in support of police
chief applicants, for the Big Island, disclosing to their present
chief, that they are about to apply for the position of Big Island
Police Chief. And, that the name of any police chief applicant be made
public immediately upon receipt of the application.
The present policy supports a police chief applicant deceiving his/her present
superiors. It communicates that deception is acceptable if the reason is good enough. It
also precludes an applicant's neighbors and fellow officers from writing us her/his
recommendations for or against a candidate.
__ 16. I will campaign for a
policy requiring developers to get agreement from the majority of residents of the
district of their proposed project, prior to submitting the project to
the governing approval agencies. Agreement in this context means a
signed petition/survey conducted throughout the proposed project's
district. Voting constituents may record being for or against the
project. __ 17. If I hear myself
speaking negatively about another behind their back I agree to
communicate, through-to-mutual-satisfaction, to the absent person what
I was saying about them and to let the original
listener/co-conspirator of the badmouthing know when I have done so. __ 18. If someone begins to
badmouth another to me I will stop that person and ask if they have
told the absent party what they are telling me. If they haven't, I
will ask, "Are you willing to do so?" __ 19. I will always
vote "No" to the importation or visitation to the Big Island of any
nuclear or radioactive material (other than small amounts already
acceptable—such as in fluorescent lights, fire alarms, watches,
medical instruments etc.). I will let it be known that I will resign
my office if I am out-voted. __ 20. I will vote "No" or
decline to vote for any project that will affect the security, health,
privacy or serenity of my constituents.
For instance; I would vote "No" or decline to vote on a Geothermal Project if
a constituent of mine let me know they oppose the venture for any reason. Another example
is; I do not support the Helicopter Tour Industry because the peace and serenity of some
of the voters and wildlife alike are disturbed. I do support helicopters being used for
emergencies, rescue, fire, construction, science, and authorized film projects. __ 21. I will campaign
for a program in which welfare recipients must complete a designated
number of hours per week of community work (the work hours to equal
minimum wage for the dollar value of benefits). __ 22. I will
communicate in favor of personal responsibility, as opposed to the
money incentive/reward program, for citizens assisting police in
locating wanted persons. I believe that citizens should do so without
being paid. __ 23. I will vote to
have it be mandatory that all political science, health care and education
majors complete a 4-yr Leadership Training Program. __ 24. It is my intention that
the names of all welfare recipients be published monthly in the
newspaper—listing the amounts, in all categories, they receive each
month, to include the number of months they have been receiving
benefits. In this way all community members can support recipients in
being self sufficient. __ 25. I will support
everyone in keeping their relationships clean with everyone. "Clean"
in this context means all upsets, withholds and acknowledgments
delivered in a way that feels good for all concerned upon completion. __ 26. I will vote "No" to the
importation of bees from any outside source—this includes not allowing
airplanes with bee cargoes to land at our airport. __ 27. I will vote in favor of
legislation to prevent flight noise from disturbing the serenity of
those below. I agree, if it can be heard it disturbs. __ 28. I will make myself and
my staff available for any constituent who is having problems getting
answers or results from any county, state or federal agency. __ 29. I will ensure
that anyone who calls my office who doesn't have food or a place to
sleep that night shall be provided with food and a place to sleep. __ 30. I will publish monthly
a list of all the written and verbal concerns and considerations
communicated to me and the number of people who voiced each concern.
I.e. Twelve people voiced concern about low flying noisy helicopters. __ 31. I will vote "No" to any
form of Space Port on the Big Island. __ 32. I will vote "No" to
off-shore mining. __ 33. I will vote "No" to the
exportation of electric power from our island. __ 34. I will ask
of a developer, wanting my support/vote, to conduct their own door to
door community survey/petition so as to prove to me that they have
community support for their project, this, before they submit any
applications. __ 35. I will ensure fees (removing tree fallen on
powerlines) and taxes for absentee owners are collected.
I will
__ 36. I will require all future employees to
complete the
Clearing Process for Professionals
in support of our integrity.
Also, I need your word that you will never, for any reason, vote in
favor of ... (insert your biggie).I will
The candidate will let you know which
topics/agreements they are willing to support. Feedback/Comments: Add your own concerns: Please post your feedback/comments in our
Message Drop
(registration required)
Send your concerns and we'll add them to the list above. Press the Of Value button if you find this project to
be of value. When you press the button you are taken to the top of this
page. (feel free to make copies) [
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