1. Economics.
In these difficult economic times, splurging on spending and making our great-grand children owe more than we do (we are borrowing at 33 cents to the dollar for our federal deficit), is not the answer. The answer is discipline. Do not increase taxes which just stifles enterpreneurial spirit. The White House says there are 'no new taxes,' but is allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire. This cannot stand. Give the money back to the people, and let them do what they do best: innovate.
2. Hawaii.
The Hawaiians should be granted the same rights of self-determination, within the United States, as the Native Americans. As a Republican party member and as an Asian Pacific Islander who has dealt with Mainlanders all my life, I'm in the best place to advocate this.
3. The Family.
Next to God, family is most important in my life. I strongly support the defeat of 444. Marriage is the institution by which healthy families are formed. I have worked with abuse recipients and perpetrators, many who were victims themselves, and I advocate teaching how to break abuse patterns and teaching successful family strategies in schools.
4. Pro-life.
I am against any federal law that will pay for abortions except for rape or incest or life endangerment. Just as a framer of the U.S. Constitution said, a child's life must be protected from "when the infant is first able to stir in the womb" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_the_United_States). However, mothers also need protection and support. The biggest example is the 'poster' case of Geri Santoro which influenced the Roe vs. Wade decision of 1973. Geri was in fear of domestic violence if her husband discovered she was pregnant from the extramarital affair. She died with her partner trying to perform a 'back-alley' abortion. Pro-life laws must include provisions completely protecting women from domestic violence, providing federal funding for safe havens. Pregnant mothers must be a vested interest of the federal government. If federal law is to protect the fetus and overturn Roe vs. Wade, the mother must have the utmost care and support throughout the process. This requires funding and federal dollars of support in programs that will ensure a Geri Santoro case never occurs again.
5. No ObamaCare.
Socialized health care will only increase costs and decrease enterpreneurial innovation. The percentage of those who receive health care for free will increase, leading to decreased incentive to work and driving costs higher for those who do pay. People must have an incentive to work hard. If not, we will eventually become a society with the majority demanding benefits, instead of working for what they receive. The Obama approved $871 billion health care bill that passed the U.S. Senate on 12/24/2009 would require the self-employed to have insurance by 2014, and has some perks like not being excluded due to pre-existing conditions, or from being sick. But their rates are projected to increase by 13%, although those earning less than $43,320 would be subsidizede and have a substantial decrease in premiums of 59%. (http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20091228/healtheffects28_st.art.htm). But what does this do to incentive? You earn more, then your rates skyrocket. As Kristie Arslan of the National Association of the Self Employed expresses in her opposition: "Entrepreneurs need lower costs and they need flexibility. In this economy, it's all about the bottom line."
6. Education.
Keep the 'No Child Left Behind' in place. Promote mentorship at earlier stages, and with more involvement in the youths lives. If youths do not see another earlier on, sometimes it is too late to change course from the wrong track. Individuals, similar to the youths in characteristics, must be there often and throughout the process of the youths developing the habits for success. Develop more programs wherein college graduates can work off their student loans and use their abilities to help our country. United States needs to be in the forefront of research and innovation.
7. Environment.
There is a joy to connect with nature, the ocean, and appreciate animals alive where they want to be. Hawaii is blessed with the ocean and islands. But on a greater scale, we need to be aware of pollutants we are introducing into the environment, causing coral reefs to die and species to disappear. We need to preserve this beautiful land and ocean for our future generations.
8. Illegal Immigration.
How can we advocate to allow people to illegally flow in and take jobs from U.S. citizens or Green Card holders who have no jobs? People who come without legal permission also use health care services, for example, without having ever paid into the federal tax system. Allowing illegal immigration is not good for health economics, and promotes coyote and slave-immigrant-worker situations. I am for enforcing the current laws. Amnesty only encourages more people to try to come to the United States any way they can, empowering the illegal immigration prostitution-slavery-cartel industry, because the naive illegal immigrant believes things will work out eventually. In reality these illegal immigrants are waiting prey to be victimized by coyotes in the illegal immigration industry. If we enforce and enact stronger laws, this will shut down coyote operations, protecting the innocent, and promoting legal means of coming to the United States.
9. Israel.
United States needs to support Israel but at the same time facilitate the process of peaceful co-existence of a Palestinian state. There should be no new settlements. The escalated violence and retaliation cannot be resolved with Israel and Palestinians alone. In the current political climate, it is difficult to negotiate a treaty of lasting peace.
10. Iran.
There are indications of how people there want progressiveness, with religious rigidity holding back. Nuclear ambitions abound, as in North Korea. Already Iran may be able to make a dirty nuclear weapon. The real question is, "for how long can we keep them from technologies and resources, and what to do they get them?"
11. Iraq/Afghanistan.
If we persevere, Iraq/Afghanistan will be peaceful states and become part of the international community. If we pull out too soon, we will have a bigger mess than before. The generals on the ground without pressure from the White House should determine what the needs are and when it will be safe to leave.
12. North Korea.
This is a difficult issue. The North Korean leader makes threats, and appeasement happens. Then some quiet and later more threats. It's a pattern. North Korea is a threat to all its neighbors and the security of the region. The United States must keep vigilence and anticipate the power of North Korea's weapons, always keeping several steps ahead, or North Korea may follow through. This is a real danger, and requires vigilence and the best information possible. The United State's agencies need to know exactly where things stand.
Future of Hawaii
1. Hawaii's Voice.
Vigor, outdoors, the ocean and warmth of Aloha needs to be out in the world. A U. S. Senator is in constant contact with representatives whose constituents may come to Hawaii, and must embody all that Hawaii is with Aloha. I plan to represent Hawaii with the vigor, physicality, and warmth that I have been blessed with. Forging relationships, and making all feel welcome with hospitality goes long ways in making new business opportunities for Hawaii, and bringing in tourism.2. China.
The single largest tourism market of future is China. I speak beginning Chinese and took Loma Linda University's China Studies Program through my mentor, John B. Wong, J.D., Ph.D., M.D. I wrote a proposal study for China, and we went to Zhongshen for a learning practicum triaging patients for free dental work and medical screenings. When Dr. and Mrs. Wong met with the governor we also sat at the round table. From this, my business experience in China 20 years ago, co-leading a tour of China 15 years ago, and being an "adopted member" of the Evangelical Formosan Church of the Inland Empire for 7 years, I can say that my experience and knowledge is deep, academic, and intimate. China is the future market, but also a serious threat due to historically intricate relations with Taiwan and the United States. Hawaii is the closest shore to China and needs someone who can advocate for business, but more importantly, understand the deep issues, and relieve tensions.
3. Defense.
As the Pacific forefront of the nation, Hawaii and defense goes hand in hand with all of the federal employees, military presense, and defense projects. I am for a strong and technologically sound defense to be able to perform as did 60 years ago in breaking code and making turning points. We need to keep all advantages that we have and this can only occur with proper funding of Hawaii based defense contractors. Waste must be cut out by ensuring competition and completion of projects.
4. Clean Energy.
This is the state where advances can be made, not only with electric and future energy resources, but where we can make a statement in human powered vehicles. A culture that is one of the most physically fit in the nation, can seek funding and form a model environment for the nation, for bicycle, jogging, strolling, and walking trails that interconnect safely and easily many of the places we commute to and from. Federal funding for such projects must be explored, as Hawaii naturally can model positively for the nation. http://www.oahubikeplan.org/downloads/Draft%20Bike%20Plan_July09_stnd.pdf
