Not your typical politician (the "same-O, same-O"). If you are looking for constructive change, you found it. 5 September 2010
10 June 2020
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My main goal is to improve the way government operates and supports the people.
My allegiance is to the people represented, never to the power base of any political party, nor any special interest group. I do not take campaign donations from anyone and owe only you. |
Way back in 2008 I read "Culture Warrior." It opened my eyes a little on the liberal and conservative agendas. Although I don't agree with the author’s conservative viewpoint on some issues (abortion and legalization of marijuana stand out), he is right on with views on the ACLU, the separation of church and state, the limited role of government, and the morphing of the judicial system.
“Cultural war” is a good moniker, as the definition of culture is “shared values and beliefs.” No doubt people who lean liberal and those who lean conservative have different values and beliefs. When people try to impose their values and beliefs on others, a “cultural war" is inevitable. On some issues I lean conservative, on others liberal. Perhaps you could call me a liberal conservative or "librative." I’m basically a moderate - socially liberal (minimize governmental “nanny state” control of personal liberties) but fiscally conservative (if government ain’t got it, don’t spend it - or borrow it). It’s the bottom line that counts, not the party line.
To provide an environment that nurtures and encourages constructive change, we need to make systemic changes in the way government operates. Historically Democrats and Republicans, despite their differing ideologies, were able to work with each other towards the betterment of our country, state and community. However in today's political climate, the mentality is more "circle the wagons." When the wagons are circled you’re not moving down the trail.
This reasoning is related to the “I’m not the problem – it’s someone else’s fault” philosophy pervasive in society today, and seems to have invaded all corners of government and public administration. When the prevailing attitude is "the enemy is within us" (to paraphrase Pogo) constructive change is very difficult. We need more independent thinkers with no real stake in government (career ambitions), who can work together for the betterment of our state and island - not the rule of a vocal minority, an unconscious majority or some special interest group. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
The following are changes to Hawaii's government/laws that I support and will work to implement:
ELECTIONS
1. The state should stop running primary elections. Move nonpartisan elections (county council, prosecutor, etc.) to the general election. The person with the most votes wins. (After all we are a “republic” not a “democracy.”) If the political parties want to vet their candidates and advance one forward to the general election let them do it on their own dime in the primary. Otherwise put all qualified candidates on the general election ballot. If you give voters more choice, they might find someone who best aligns with their views and perhaps voter turnout will increase.
2. To make progress towards #1, in the interim the nonpartisan and “minor party” candidates with the most votes in the primary election should all advance to the general election ballot.
3. Work to add on-line voting to the mail-in ballot process, but continue to make a limited number of voting places available during the general election. If you can bank on-line, you should be able to vote on-line.
4. The registration fee for candidates agreeing to campaign spending limits should remain the same - around $25 (depending on the office sought). Raise the fee for candidates who don’t agree from $250 to $2,500. Dedicate the money to supporting the election process.
5. Distribute the dollars tax payers choose give to elections/candidates on their yearly income tax forms equally to all candidates in local races who agree to spending limits and desire state support. Do not use money from the general fund to support candidates. Eliminate the requirement to jump through hoops and get small donations from a number of supporters to qualify for governmental support.
POLITICIANS and POLITICAL PROCESS
1. Term limits for all elected officials. (Say eight years max, with ten years service required for retirement.) If a person desires a career in politics, run for another office.
2. Put pay raises for all politicians on the ballot for voter approval. (Same approval standards as for ballot initiatives.)
3. Extend state legislative session from five months to ten months (with perhaps a small, 5% increase in the base salaries of State Representatives and Senators.) It will cost twice as much for support personnel, but the state will save in reduced unemployment claims.
4. A legislative committee head should not have the power to table a bill. All bills referred to committee should get at least a preliminary vote by all committee members (and that vote recorded) in order to table a bill.
5. Do not allow “gut and replace” which enables a legislative committee to keep the same title of a bill, but completely change the original wording/purpose of the bill. All proposed bills should have a paragraph up front that summarizes the purpose of the bill. This paragraph should not change.
6. Legislation should only contain line items that relate to the title/purpose of the bill. No add-ons. No riders. No special interest provisions.
7. Apply the “sunshine law” to State House and Senate or revise as appropriate. The Legislature should be subject to all laws they pass.
8. Align fiscal year with calendar year.
9. Encourage the carryover of unspent money from one year to the next, with no adverse impact on future funding for that governmental department or entity. Encourage departments to save for a rainy day or large project.
10. Do not allow the raiding of funds to support something completely different than originally intended (e.g. geothermal fund and hurricane fund).
11. Get the government out of the insurance business.
12. Encourage the use of private contractors rather than public employees by reducing the red tape, internal restrictions and favoritism.
13. Really balance the budget. Borrowing money shouldn’t count except in emergencies or for extremely large projects that are necessary. Pay off debts. Decrease Departmental budgets by a specified percentage every year. Empower Department Heads to figure out where to save money.
“Cultural war” is a good moniker, as the definition of culture is “shared values and beliefs.” No doubt people who lean liberal and those who lean conservative have different values and beliefs. When people try to impose their values and beliefs on others, a “cultural war" is inevitable. On some issues I lean conservative, on others liberal. Perhaps you could call me a liberal conservative or "librative." I’m basically a moderate - socially liberal (minimize governmental “nanny state” control of personal liberties) but fiscally conservative (if government ain’t got it, don’t spend it - or borrow it). It’s the bottom line that counts, not the party line.
To provide an environment that nurtures and encourages constructive change, we need to make systemic changes in the way government operates. Historically Democrats and Republicans, despite their differing ideologies, were able to work with each other towards the betterment of our country, state and community. However in today's political climate, the mentality is more "circle the wagons." When the wagons are circled you’re not moving down the trail.
This reasoning is related to the “I’m not the problem – it’s someone else’s fault” philosophy pervasive in society today, and seems to have invaded all corners of government and public administration. When the prevailing attitude is "the enemy is within us" (to paraphrase Pogo) constructive change is very difficult. We need more independent thinkers with no real stake in government (career ambitions), who can work together for the betterment of our state and island - not the rule of a vocal minority, an unconscious majority or some special interest group. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
The following are changes to Hawaii's government/laws that I support and will work to implement:
ELECTIONS
1. The state should stop running primary elections. Move nonpartisan elections (county council, prosecutor, etc.) to the general election. The person with the most votes wins. (After all we are a “republic” not a “democracy.”) If the political parties want to vet their candidates and advance one forward to the general election let them do it on their own dime in the primary. Otherwise put all qualified candidates on the general election ballot. If you give voters more choice, they might find someone who best aligns with their views and perhaps voter turnout will increase.
2. To make progress towards #1, in the interim the nonpartisan and “minor party” candidates with the most votes in the primary election should all advance to the general election ballot.
3. Work to add on-line voting to the mail-in ballot process, but continue to make a limited number of voting places available during the general election. If you can bank on-line, you should be able to vote on-line.
4. The registration fee for candidates agreeing to campaign spending limits should remain the same - around $25 (depending on the office sought). Raise the fee for candidates who don’t agree from $250 to $2,500. Dedicate the money to supporting the election process.
5. Distribute the dollars tax payers choose give to elections/candidates on their yearly income tax forms equally to all candidates in local races who agree to spending limits and desire state support. Do not use money from the general fund to support candidates. Eliminate the requirement to jump through hoops and get small donations from a number of supporters to qualify for governmental support.
POLITICIANS and POLITICAL PROCESS
1. Term limits for all elected officials. (Say eight years max, with ten years service required for retirement.) If a person desires a career in politics, run for another office.
2. Put pay raises for all politicians on the ballot for voter approval. (Same approval standards as for ballot initiatives.)
3. Extend state legislative session from five months to ten months (with perhaps a small, 5% increase in the base salaries of State Representatives and Senators.) It will cost twice as much for support personnel, but the state will save in reduced unemployment claims.
4. A legislative committee head should not have the power to table a bill. All bills referred to committee should get at least a preliminary vote by all committee members (and that vote recorded) in order to table a bill.
5. Do not allow “gut and replace” which enables a legislative committee to keep the same title of a bill, but completely change the original wording/purpose of the bill. All proposed bills should have a paragraph up front that summarizes the purpose of the bill. This paragraph should not change.
6. Legislation should only contain line items that relate to the title/purpose of the bill. No add-ons. No riders. No special interest provisions.
7. Apply the “sunshine law” to State House and Senate or revise as appropriate. The Legislature should be subject to all laws they pass.
8. Align fiscal year with calendar year.
9. Encourage the carryover of unspent money from one year to the next, with no adverse impact on future funding for that governmental department or entity. Encourage departments to save for a rainy day or large project.
10. Do not allow the raiding of funds to support something completely different than originally intended (e.g. geothermal fund and hurricane fund).
11. Get the government out of the insurance business.
12. Encourage the use of private contractors rather than public employees by reducing the red tape, internal restrictions and favoritism.
13. Really balance the budget. Borrowing money shouldn’t count except in emergencies or for extremely large projects that are necessary. Pay off debts. Decrease Departmental budgets by a specified percentage every year. Empower Department Heads to figure out where to save money.
LAWS
1. Implement new laws only after reviewing economic impact. If additional resources required, Legislature should appropriate.
2. Tort reform – limit outlandish awards for pain and suffering. If the person initiating the personal liability suit looses in court, the loosing lawyer should cover at least half of the opposing lawyer’s bill. If the judge deems the suit frivolous, the plaintiff’s lawyer should pay the defendant’s entire legal bill.
3. Allow a line item veto by Governor, with item(s) returning to Legislature for override (say two-third majority) if they so desire prior to passage of the law. Counties should also consider this. (Note: The line item veto at the federal level was determined unconstitutional, but nothing was said about its application at the state level.)
4. Legalize possession and cultivation of cannabis. Either provide state-run stores or allow pharmacies to distribute through the physician prescription process. Only tax the sales of approved, commercial growing operations.
5. Increase minimum sentences for sale, distribution and manufacture of meth or crack.
6. Post all court sentences in the paper (name, law(s) broken and sentence) along with the name of the judge, minimum sentence as determined by probation board and all prior convictions of the criminal. Eliminate “arrested and charged” which is cherry-picked by the newspapers and may highlight someone who later is proven innocent.
7. Allow gambling on cruse ships.
8. Give the counties more autonomy. The voters in individual counties should be allowed to determine if they desire gambling and the form it will take. County oversees all gambling endeavors (with increases in staffing paid by revenue generated) and retains all revenue to allocate as the county sees fit.
9. Eliminate mandatory building codes or requirements (other than safety for neighbors) for owner-occupied, private residences not used to generate revenue. Make building codes voluntary for owner-occupants. The owner accepts full responsibility, liability and decreased sales value. Focus on commercial compliance to building codes.
10. Actually issue concealed carry firearm permits for law-abiding citizens as presently specified/allowec by law. Do not allow the police to restrict almost all concealed carry permits as they presently do.
1. Implement new laws only after reviewing economic impact. If additional resources required, Legislature should appropriate.
2. Tort reform – limit outlandish awards for pain and suffering. If the person initiating the personal liability suit looses in court, the loosing lawyer should cover at least half of the opposing lawyer’s bill. If the judge deems the suit frivolous, the plaintiff’s lawyer should pay the defendant’s entire legal bill.
3. Allow a line item veto by Governor, with item(s) returning to Legislature for override (say two-third majority) if they so desire prior to passage of the law. Counties should also consider this. (Note: The line item veto at the federal level was determined unconstitutional, but nothing was said about its application at the state level.)
4. Legalize possession and cultivation of cannabis. Either provide state-run stores or allow pharmacies to distribute through the physician prescription process. Only tax the sales of approved, commercial growing operations.
5. Increase minimum sentences for sale, distribution and manufacture of meth or crack.
6. Post all court sentences in the paper (name, law(s) broken and sentence) along with the name of the judge, minimum sentence as determined by probation board and all prior convictions of the criminal. Eliminate “arrested and charged” which is cherry-picked by the newspapers and may highlight someone who later is proven innocent.
7. Allow gambling on cruse ships.
8. Give the counties more autonomy. The voters in individual counties should be allowed to determine if they desire gambling and the form it will take. County oversees all gambling endeavors (with increases in staffing paid by revenue generated) and retains all revenue to allocate as the county sees fit.
9. Eliminate mandatory building codes or requirements (other than safety for neighbors) for owner-occupied, private residences not used to generate revenue. Make building codes voluntary for owner-occupants. The owner accepts full responsibility, liability and decreased sales value. Focus on commercial compliance to building codes.
10. Actually issue concealed carry firearm permits for law-abiding citizens as presently specified/allowec by law. Do not allow the police to restrict almost all concealed carry permits as they presently do.
ENVIRONMENT
1. Do not allow the construction of private dwellings on land zoned Conservation.
2. Protect local product names like “Ka`u Coffee” by requiring a bag so labeled to contain 100% Ka`u coffee.
3. Devote more resources to the interdiction and eradication of invasive animals and plants. I support the eradication of ungulates from the air and the release of bio controls when appropriately researched (e.g. strawberry guava control).
4. Embrace alternate energy by requiring the electric company to purchase all privately generated energy, while not restricting the installation of private solar systems. Require the purchase all alternate energy generated by private individuals at the full sales price for that kilowatt-hour. Require the purchase of energy generated by other companies (wind, solar, biomass, ocean) at a reasonable price.
5. Work to decouple electricity generation from the distribution system. Electrical generation should not be a government-controlled monopoly.
6. Change zoning to correctly reflect land use (e.g. “residential agriculture” vs. “agriculture”).
7. Implement point-of-origin labeling for produce to allow the consumer to support locally grown produce if they so desire.
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Proud dad and three (of nine) Kalij chicks that have made my property their home - taken in back yard, 19 June 2020.
GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES
1. Permit the reassigning government workers to areas of need (similar duties in a different department).
2. Make it easier for government workers to be fired for cause after unsatisfactory performance during a probationary period.
3. Reduce the overall cost of government by a certain percentage (say 2%) every year until a specified goal reached. (This was mentioned earlier, but is worth mentioning again. The budget must be balanced, and the government must save for a rainy day.)
4. Fully fund governmental retirement and health obligations. Continue to make constructive changes to the governmental retirement and health programs for future employees that reduce governmental obligations and give employees more choice.
5. Strive to push governmental functions (and state governmental workers) down to the county level whenever possible. Give the counties more autonomy. Each county has specific needs and priorities that are better addressed at the local level rather than the state level.
EDUCATION
1. Pay good teachers more. Help unsatisfactory teachers find another job.
2. Institute a “360 degree” teacher performance evaluation system that has input from parents, principals, teachers, and students. Include evaluation of student performance increases over the school year, rather than simply grade-level performance at the end of the school year.
3. Issue school vouchers, and allow parents to send kids to schools outside their districts if space available. Voucher amounts should include everything needed to run a school (salaries, maintenance, etc.) and follow the student. This empowers parents and allows them to have a greater say in which schools are performing best for their children.
4. Empower principals to spend their operating budget any way they see fit to support the needs of their specific school.
5. Dissolve the state school board and create county boards comprised of principals (public, charter and private). Every county has different needs, not often served by a centralized school board. (School boards in Hawaii used to be at the county level. Hawaii is the only state that has a centralized state school board. The administrative burden created by a centralized board is onerous.)
PRISON
1. Focus on rehabilitation rather than incarceration.
2. Require all prisoners work at something. Compensate prisoners according to skill level. Set aside 80% of compensation and issue to prisoner upon discharge.
3. Invest in more half-way houses and assign discharged prisoners to houses far removed from their old neighborhood.
4. Make room in prisons for real criminals by releasing all people in prison solely for the consumption of illegal drugs. Require them to report to a case manager once a month and pass a piss test for the duration of their original sentence. If they fail or miss a session, they complete the jail sentence.
5. Do not send prisoners out of state. Use existing prison space. If necessary, provide additional prison space by building a new prison compound on Kahoolawe using prison labor and surplus military tents. Figure out why incarceration is so expensive in Hawaii.
6. Reimplement capital punishment.
TAXES
1. Make the state personal income tax a flat percentage for everything earned above the poverty level. This would result in no income tax for people below the poverty level. No exemptions. No itemizing. No tax on tips or barter. Easy to prepare. Fair for everyone.
2. Eliminate sales tax on medicine and food.
3. Eliminate inheritance tax – the epitome of double taxation.
4. Reduce the tax, fee and “red tape” burden on businesses and individuals.
5. Tax land actually used for agriculture at the lowest tax rate.
In 2019, Hawaii had the second highest income tax rate (11%) behind California.
My goodness! Bet you won’t get a list like this from the other candidates. Conventional political wisdom is to pick one or two issues and hit them hard. Suspect some of the entrenched politicians would not even entertain a few of these ideas, much less refer them to committee for certain death. But someone must plant the seeds of constructive change. If enough politicians water those seeds (and the water is not yellow) they will eventually grow into trees that bear fruit.
No one will agree with you on everything. And it’s a given that some of your views are probably “deal busters.”
If the candidate doesn’t agree, s/he ain’t gettin’ your vote. That’s completely understandable. The good news is that now you know what I’ll work on, and which seeds I’ll try to plant. Please take the time this year to vote for the candidate who best aligns with your views. But as the old saying goes – if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got. Is that a good thing?
