From the Amato Phenomenon: Why does this country spend billions on war while ignoring climate change and subsidizing a food system that makes us sick? To people who look behind the curtain, the reason is that our political system has been taken over by money--big money. The disappearing middle class cannot come up with the ever-increasing costs of getting a candidate elected, and now, big corporations have the deciding influence. The next presidential election may well consume $20 billion, or $200 per voter. Many have resigned to this as a fact of life, and openly show their disgust for politics and politicians. But what makes America great is its ability to innovate and heal itself. And this time, it is starting in our paradise island of Maui. Maui has not always been the dream destination for the rich and famous. It has a long history as a plantation island with wealthy overlords and a docile population. So when GMO and pesticide giant Monsanto bought up small seed companies on the island, and started chemical experiments with 60 restricted pesticides and plant genetics, many people and politicians related to it as yet another plantation. They even called it agriculture, although no food is produced. Almost all politicians readily took in donations, and soon, GMO labeling was dropped and a Monsanto Protection Act was sponsored. Big money, big corporations ruled, and environmental and health concerns were pushed to the side. Enter Terez Amato. As a small business owner and mother of four teenagers, she was not exactly looking for more work. And politics was not her thing at all. In fact, it would be months before she presented her first public testimony before the Maui County Council. But Terez saw that something had to be done to stop poisoning paradise and secure a future for her children. And in the heroic spirit of American pioneers, she applied herself to the task and became a candidate for state senator. Many have called her challenge the most important race in the entire Hawaii primary, and in fact, this could send a signal nationwide that America is not for sale. Terez is going up against a career politician who has over 10 times more money in her election budget, but seems to have lost touch with her electorate on Maui. Of all her donations over $100, only one came from Maui, compared to dozens from big corporations. Many say that her politics reflect this--nixing a hospital in her own district, co-sponsoring the Monsanto Protection Act and being contentious at the GMO labeling hearings. Terez is on a mission. During daylight hours, she is knocking on the doors of every voter, listening to the true concerns of the people and formulating strategies to help them. Terezs central campaign theme is, I will never take money from corporations, which a few have called a red herring and many dont understand at first. With this theme, she is touching at the very foundations of what is wrong with American politics, much to the surprise of the Democratic Convention and the bafflement of political reporters who confuse money with votes. When Terez Amato is elected on Saturday, Aug. 9, and becomes state senator, there will be new hope in politics. Not only in Hawaii, but nationwide, we may see new candidates take to the polls who skirt the big money and decide to truly work for the people. Chris Mentzel Kihei - See more at: mauiweekly/page/content.detail/id/532723/The-Amato-Phenomenon.html#sthash.2fyLLhWl.dpuf
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 18:42:02 +0000
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