Run for office? NEVER!

How many times have you heard that from people who are asked if they would ever consider running for office — even though it is arguably one of the best ways to provide service to our community?

I've even heard, "What we need are good people in office." Does that imply we currently don't have good people?

We know that's not true; we have many dedicated public servants. But all of us should be bothered by the perception that we don't. Why do these feelings prevail? How do we remove them from the public's mind?

One good way would be for the Legislature to operate under the same Sunshine Law that it has imposed on other agencies.

What raises questions and hackles in the minds of voters are the surprise measures that get passed quickly, often without public comment; politicians who admit they voted a certain way to return a political favor; and meetings held in "secret" away from the public eye. You get the picture.

What the public wants, deserves and, hopefully, will demand is a Legislature that operates openly, not behind closed doors and in smoky rooms.

Legislators, conduct your deliberations, justify your actions and hold your votes clearly in the public's view. Don't exempt yourselves from the Sunshine Law. Show us that you value transparency in government.

We, the voters, care. I hope my fellow citizens will take note of those of you who continue to support "business as usual."

John Kim is a retired Air Force officer and a retired educator. He lives in Manoa.