Honolulu Republicans: On Labor Day Celebrate Entrepreneurship

From Oahu GOP September 3, 2017

On Labor Day, we commemorate the birth of the American labor movement and all that American workers have accomplished to grow our economy and spur innovation around the world.

Unfortunately, too many Americans today are working under antiquated labor laws that deprive employees of basic personal decisions and often subjects them to coercion by unions.  While the regulatory burden, at local, state and federal levels continue to disproportionately impact our small businesses, the engines of our economic growth and job creation.

While the country's union membership is at a historic low, Hawaii's workforce is the second-most unionized in the nation, 19.9 percent of Hawaii's workers were part of a union in 2016; with the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) and Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) being the two most prominent and powerful unions in our state.  Additionally, Hawaii is one of the most hostile places in America to start or run a business because the state government actively interferes with business', with strict worker compensation requirements, mandatory short-term disability insurance, and compulsory unionization with no right to work law. 

Hawaii Republicans believe that each individual should have a right to work and we support right to work legislation.  We support voluntary union membership and periodic, independent audits of union finances to ensure that no funds are used in violation of state or federal laws.  We also support a reduction of burdensome regulations on our small businesses, as they create the bulk of new jobs for our communities and greatly benefit the State’s economy.  

We fully support President Trump's economic plan that focuses on implementing pro-growth tax reform to help American workers and businesses keep more of their hard-earned dollars, placing a moratorium on new federal regulations and ordering federal agencies to identify job-killing regulations that should be repealed, and for renegotiating existing trade deals ensuring trade agreements bring good-paying jobs to our shores and support American manufacturing, the backbone of our economy.

By standing side-by-side with America’s workers and businesses, President Trump’s policies will unleash economic growth, create 25 million new jobs, and help “Make America Great Again.”

On this holiday, the Honolulu County Republican Party wish you and yours a very Happy Labor Day.  We hope you take a moment and reflect on how much America’s entrepreneurial spirit and free market economy have enabled us to prosper and enjoy a standard of living unrivalled in history.  Let us rededicate ourselves on this Labor Day to unleashing the untapped potential of our state’s and our nation’s economic engine so we can leave our children and grandchildren with a better Hawaii and nation.

May God bless you and our great country . . .

“As America's workers enjoy this holiday, let us all be thankful for the prosperity we have achieved and let us work together to meet the challenges ahead and turn them into opportunities for all Americans.”  Ronald Reagan (September 3, 1984)

Respectfully,

Brett Kulbis

Honolulu County Chairman