Support/Opposition of Con Con 2008

[drew10]

I don't really know how much of a discussion question this is, but it could spark something. My question is, what are the known groups/organizations who publicly support or oppose the 2008 Con Con proposal? I have been doing research on Cons Cons in our beautiful island state, but this particular information has been difficult for me to find. Also, post your predictions of how you think certain groups will come out in the near future in support or opposition of the proposal. Thank you for your time!

[Kaunaloa]

predictions -- worth what yer paying for 'em:
* every large union will oppose a concon
* the majority party in the legislature will [potentially "unofficially" but nonetheless] oppose a concon
* every group [both within the govt. and private] that profits via entitlelment programs for "native hawaiians" will oppose a concon

[jk]

I don't think any individual or organization that wants to retain any sense of respect among the public is making any public statement (in something like a newspaper commentary) that they're against a ConCon at this time. That would be tantamount to saying they're against democracy. Instead, they feign uncertainty over whether or not a ConCon should be held. They say that people should seriously think about certain widely accepted provisions of the existing Constitution and what would happen if these provisions were revised for the worse or eliminated. But anyone with the slightest political sensitivity who hasn't decided one way or another on an issue wouldn't take the initiative (by writing a newspaper commentary) to admit that they are undecided and confused. They are against a ConCon, but they just don't want to ruin their reputations by saying so. When it gets close to the election some heavy hitters like the ones indicated by Kaunaloa will oppose the ConCon. They are just trying to figure out how to say it without alienating too many people

[drew10]

Jk, I understand your point about timing, political sensitivity, and feigning uncertainty, but we are just four months away from determining whether or not a Con Con should or should not be held. I would assume that some organizations must be taking a position one way or another. I know the League of Women Voter's and some Hawaiian sovereignty groups have taken a stance on the Con Con proposal, are there any others? I would also have to respectfully disagree with your point that, "any public statement that they're against a ConCon at this time...Would be tantamount to saying they're against democracy". But, discussing that point would be straying away from my question. I also appreciate the predictions made by Kaunaloa, and I would have to agree with most of what he said, but according to the two above posts, no organizations have diffinetively come out in support/opposition of the ConCon?

[Marty]

At the time of your post the Democratic Party had passed a resolution at their state convention to vote no on concon. Since that time the Democratic Party central committee has recommended that everyone vote no.
Also out now is HawaiiAlliance, which acts like a Hawaiian rights group explaining that a concon will take away rights from the 1978 ConCon. In fact, HawaiiAlliance is supported by a $350,000 donation from NEA - Ballot Fund, $10,000 from HSTA and $10,000 from HGEA (from Sept 20, 2008 financial disclosure statement).