Chairman Chang's Corner
Message to Hawaii Republican Party members October 22, 2013
Aloha!
Next week the special session begins to consider the same-gender marriage bill. Please click here to see the op-ed I wrote on this issue, which will appear in the Star-Advertiser this week. This is an emotional issue for people on both sides and I want to remind everyone to engage in a respectful open dialogue, and not resort to hurtful and insensitive language. Our party believes that an issue as important as this should be decided by the people of Hawaii. Legislation that will affect the lives of 1.4 million people in our state should not be decided by just 76 members of the legislature, a governor, and lobbyists. I would encourage you to contact your state representative and state senator and let your voice be heard!
On the national front, the government shutdown is finally over...for now. Congress has passed a bill to fund the government until February, when they will have to address the issues of our nation's record debt and deficits once again. It is important that we get our fiscal house in order. Continuing to increase our debt and pass it on to the next generation is not sustainable and we must address this issue head-on. Ronald Reagan's words of "making government live within its means" holds true today.
As the 2014 midterm elections approach, the HRP is actively recruiting candidates, as well as district chairs, and precinct chairs. Please contact us if you agree that we need to hold our government accountable, and would like to help us elect leaders who will provide real solutions to our state and country's difficult problems.
I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome Blake Parsons as the new Finance Director of the HRP. We are excited to have him on board. Blake is a graduate of UH Hilo, worked on the Lingle for Senate Campaign, and most recently worked with Becker Communications. Blake is hitting the ground running with our new Executive Director Kayla Berube, to build our party and restore a viable and sustainable two party system in Hawaii. Please don't hesitate to contact either of them at party headquarters if you have any questions, or simply to welcome them to our party!
Mahalo,
 
IN THE NEWS
Senior Fair Survey Results
Last month, the Hawaii GOP conducted a non-scientific survey at our booth at the Senior Fair. Here's what our seniors told us:
- 48% disapprove of the job Governor Abercrombie is doing; 44% approve of the job Gov. Abercrombie is doing
- 78% prefer balance in government, while 19% believe it is better to have one party control
- 67% do not support the Governor's call for a special session to legalize gay marriage, while 30% support
- 51% think the Affordable Care Act will help Hawaii; 42% think it will hurt Hawaii
- 39% feel they are leaving a better Hawaii for their children, 21% feel they will leave Hawaii the same, and 38% feel they are leaving it worse
- The #1 most important issue was High Cost of Living
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