When I started this campaign, an important part of my platform was to reestablish a strong ethical code for Legislators. My proposal is simple: No gifts to and no travel junkets for Legislators. End of story.
 
Recent events demonstrate why that change is needed. The current ruling party has no interest in ethics and openly flaunts their perks and privileges. It is an attitude bred from years of one party dominance and contempt for us voters. Let me point out two (2) examples.
 
Recently, a comprehensive ethics bill has stalled in the Legislature. This was the bill that penalized Dr. Josh Green and would require him to either quit as a physician from our Kona Hospital or the Legislature. And despite the pleading by the State’s appointed Ethics Commissioner to pass the new ethics bill, the Senate appears content to adopt the Tony Soprano approach and "fuhgit about it."
 
This past week we also saw how the Democrats eagerly shoved ethics aside to get a freebie. But it wasn’t just any freebie. Four (4) State Senators and four (4) State Representatives got a free round trip on Hawaiian Airlines inaugural flight to Manila. Hotel accommodations were also thrown in. Our Legislators didn’t pay a dime and probably got taxpayer funded "per diem" for their trip.
 
The ethical problem is that Hawaiian Airlines stands to directly benefit from two bills currently on the fast track in the Legislature. One bill would give it significant tax breaks on jet fuel. The other bill would provide loan guarantees for Hawaiian Airlines. Of course, this was a little too late for Aloha Airlines. But that’s another story.
 
State Senator Espero said that the trip was cleared by the Ethics Commission. Technically he’s right. Under our current, weak and inadequate ethics laws, Legislators practically get away with anything and often do. I don’t blame Hawaiian Airlines, they just made the offer. I blame our Legislators who like a character in the musical "Oklahoma," just can’t say "No." They can’t say "No" to special interests and won’t say "No" to the "pay to play" campaign fundraising machine that they have perfected over the years.
 
If our Legislators, who have been reelected year after year, can no longer say "No," we need to tell them "No more." Your choice in this 2008 State Senate election is clear. I will stand up and say "No" to special interests and other temptations, great and small. I pledge to you that I will stand up for you, for the common good and what is right, instead of standing in line with my hand out.
 
But I need your help. Please help my campaign by putting up a yard sign, calling your friends, passing this email along, volunteering to help and donating to my campaign. I’d be very grateful if you did.

Mahalo,

Ted