The Progressive PAC, made up of members of Progressive Democrats of Hawaii and Americans for Democratic Action Hawaii, recently released its list of endorsements for this election year. Of all the PAC’s endorsements, there are a handful of candidates that will receive financial assistance from the PAC.
After much examination of candidates’ position on civil unions, emergency contraception in the emergency room, job security, progressive taxation, renewable energy, education, we have targeted our support for the following candidates who are in key races.
Neil Abercrombie for Governor
Gary Hooser for Lt. Governor
Michael Golojuch for 19th State Senate District (Oust Gabbard!)
Representative Blake Oshiro in House District 33
Linda Ichiyama for House District 31
Jason Bradshaw for House District 43 (Oust K Pine!)
Cynthia Rezentes for House District 44
The Progressive PAC, to fund its donations to candidates, will be holding a fundraiser on Saturday, August 21. at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou St. from noon to 2:00pm and tickets are a suggested $60 donation. We need your help to support these candidates to ensure they win their primary races! (more…)
REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The U.S. is in the midst of a prolonged economic crisis. Globally, we are also facing a long-term environmental crisis. In recent campaigns, there has been talk of creating “green collar” jobs and reducing our carbon footprint.
1. What steps do you think Congress should take to rebuild our economy on a more sustainable, yet economically viable basis?
As outlined in my subsequent remarks, we must eliminate from national economic policy the trickle-down theory at transferred from the Bush Administration to President Obama’s Administration in the bailout elements of the stimulus. Our policy must be recommitted to ameliorating the maldistribution of income. We must undertake tax reforms that eliminate regressive policies from taxation of the vast majority of Americans, as discussed below and on my website. Those policies will stimulate savings and investment and increase income and wealth in the middle and working classes, which is the best policy for moderating the effects of future economic variations. We must be vigilant in eliminating the type of profiteering that turned our financial sector into a free for all, instead of a reliable national partner for economic safety and stability. We the need creativity that resides there to meet the needs of broadening wealth, but we must insist that all financial instruments are regulated and protected by adequate reserves, among other things. (more…)
REGARDING ELECTIONS
Do you support comprehensive public funding of elections? Please explain why or why not?
I have always supported the comprehensive public funding of elections and voted for all past legislation as introduced by Voter Owned Hawaii during my three terms in the State House. I have indeed filed to run for Lt. Governor using the State’s existing public funding option, as weak as it currently is. I believe that the current “pay to play” system has eroded the public’s trust in government as vividly demonstrated by Hawaii having the lowest percentage of voter turnout in the nation.
Do you have any concerns as to the possibility of voter disenfranchisement related to electronic voting device failure and/or the (in)adequacy voting equipment and systems? If so, what are those concerns and what would you suggest to resolve the problem? (more…)
REGARDING ELECTIONS
Do you support comprehensive public funding of elections? Please explain why or why not?
Yes, I am a strong supporter of public financing for elections. I made it a priority when I was a member of the State house, and I believe it is a reform what will make other reforms possible, especially in light of the recent SCOTUS decision.
Do you have any concerns as to the possibility of voter disenfranchisement related to electric voting device failure and/or the (in)adequacy voting equipment and systems? If so, what are those concerns and what would you suggest to resolve the problem? (more…)
REGARDING ELECTIONS
Do you support comprehensive public funding of elections? Please explain why or why not?
We have passed legislation to allow the Hawaii County Council to pilot the public funding effort. Let’s see how that works out. I am open to further discussion once we see how well that effort turns out. (more…)
REGARDING ELECTIONS
Do you support comprehensive public funding of elections? Please explain why or why not?
Yes, I strongly support comprehensive public funding of elections. In fact, I have already confirmed my participation in Hawaii’s public funding for my 2010 Lieutenant Governor campaign. I support public funding because the influence of special interest and “big money” has corrupted the political process and barred the entrance of new candidates into public office. (more…)
Because I am co-hosting a coffee get together at Starbucks Coffee Shop on Ward and Auahi Street this Sunday, April 11th at 5:30 PM for OFA (Organizing For America), I decided to contact the candidates with some important and relevant questions regarding issues which might likely be issues that a member of Congress would need to vote on. I asked a total of seven questions. The same seven questions were emailed to both the Case Campaign and the Hanabusa Campaign. I followed up with a phone call to each campaign headquarters when my emailed questions went for two days without a response. Spokesperson for Ms. Hanabusa (Eric Hamakawa) and spokesperson for Ed Case (Jim Nakatani) both promised they would ask their respective candidates these questions and send me a reply. These replies below are from the candidates themselves, in their own words.
First, here is a copy and paste of Colleen Hanabusa’s answers
1. Should people be required by law to purchase health insurance?
Yes – Let’s put it this way, if a person doesn’t have health insurance and suffers from a catastrophic injury or illness, who do you think pays for those costs if that person can’t afford to pay? The answer is every single one of us, regardless of whether we have our own personal health insurance or not. Uncompensated health care costs are currently being spread out among all paying health care customers in the form of increased service and prescription costs. If a person purchases health care insurance, they’re not only helping themselves, they’re helping everyone else as well. (more…)
Thursday, April 8, 2010
House Committee on Judiciary
In Support of House Concurrent Resolution 282
TO: House Committee on Judiciary
Chair Karamatsu, Vice-Chair Ito
FROM: Progressive Democrats of Hawai‘i
Co-Chair Josh Frost
Aloha Chair Karamatsu, Vice-Chair Ito, and Committee Members,
I am here, testifying before you today, on behalf of the Progressive Democrats of Hawai‘i (PDH) in support of HCR 282. (more…)
We had our “political speed dating” event this morning with the 6 Democratic candidates for Lieutenant Governor. The turnout was a little less than we had hoped for, but I think that it went very well overall. Everyone that I talked to seemed to get something positive out of it.
Josh Frost started off with a few opening remarks while people milled about chatting and munching on refreshments. Barbara Polk introduced the six candidates while people made their way to their seats. In alphabetical order — Rep Lyla Berg, Sen Robert Bunda, Sen Gary Hooser, Rep Jon Riki Karamatsu, Sen Norman Sakamoto,& former Rep Brian Schatz. Then I had the pleasure of describing the logistics of how things would work — there were 6 clusters of chairs distributed in the room; each candidate would have 13mins with a group and then 2 mins to transition to the next group.
Our group started with Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu. He seemed a little unsure of how to proceed at first, but soon found his stride as he answered questions directed at him. As we went through the rounds, (more…)
Here’s Senate President, Colleen Hanabusa’s responses to our survey:
REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT
What steps do you think Congress should take to rebuild our economy on a more sustainable, yet economically viable basis?
My first priority in Congress will be to put people back to work and to get our economy moving again.
I support increasing our investments in America’s people and infrastructure, including aggressively expanding education and training initiatives, preparing America’s students to compete with the best and brightest around the world. Our students can only do this if we provide them with the tools that will let them excel.
I’ll also work to strengthen America’s technology sector, energy policy, educational systems, and transportation infrastructure so that our students and America remain at the cutting edge. These investments will lead to fostering and sustaining America’s economic strength.
While the rising national debt continues to remain a concern, I do know that the more prosperous America is, the faster we can pay off the debt incurred. (more…)
