2010 LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
Name: Eric B. Marshall
Current job: IT/Compliance Officer at Hawaiian Electric Employees Federal Credit Union/Notary Public
Residence: How long you’ve lived in the district: Over 2 years
Background: What qualifies you for the position? My genuine heart’s desire is to help Hawaii’s people that are struggling to make ends meet. I strive for humility, honesty, & selflessness as a statesman, who will not be a rubber stamp for the establishment. I do have experience in parliamentary procedures but more importantly I would be a fresh young voice in the Senate. Unequivocally I am a vote for change versus 4 more years of the same.
What else have you run for? Have you been in public office before and if so, what position? Although I have not run for public office before, I was elected twice as a Senator of the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii (ASUH). I was appointed 1 year as Chairman of the Academic Affairs committee. I am a founder of the ASUH Scholarship, which has lasted 15 years and continues till this day
Major issues: What are the biggest issue in your district/state and your proposed solutions? Since before statehood Hawaii has been governed more like an Oligarchy rather than a Democracy every major issue we have faced from the Economy, Education, Homelessness & social issues all stem from this problem. The continual rule of power hunger career politicians in the Old Boy network has decimated the state. I will work together with a bipartisan team of fellow statesmen candidates to help enact reform of our government. I will do everything possible to continue the fight for the little people rights to reformed government that represents the peoples values and protects the majorities civil rights from being manipulated by the political power hunger minority.
Budget philosophy: What is your budget philosophy? Stop stealing from the poor to give to the rich. Taxes hit the poor the hardest making many homeless. Many government contracts and programs can be funded through Unions helping the community rather than spending their members (and taxpayers) hard earned dollars for TV propaganda to convince everyone how good they are. If you encourage through incentives so businesses that are the ones that make Hawaii work then increase their revenues will increase without increasing tax rates.
Do you foresee increases in revenue through tax hikes and fees or do you believe in cutting spending? If Democrats gain a majority then surely the tax hikes and fees will increase thus sending more businesses away thus decreasing revenue. We will eventually be forced to cut as we did with Furlough Fridays. The pathetic part is the keiki were effected first rather than the unions. Some how collective bargaining became more important than education?
Taxes and fees: Do you believe Hawaii’s taxes should be lowered or increased? Even Democrats admit the multiplying negative effects of increasing the G.E.T. The tax burden needs to be lowered. Privatization and decreasing government spending are guarantee ways to balance the budget and for the State to pay off its indebtedness. Unions, non-profits and individuals that support tax increases are provided incentives such as public recognition for donating to designated government programs of their choice. I have already signed the Local and national Taxpayer Protection Pledge.
Rail: If the city has difficulty raising enough revenue for the rail, would you support state tax support for the rail project? No, Rail period, all Japan rails have had to privatize since government could not manage and afford it. If it were so great then private industry and demand would have created it a long time ago. Rail if it continues will bankrupt the City and clearly it is the Government stealing from the poor to give to the rich. Those who seek to benefit from this 5.5 billion dollars are not your everyday Hawaii citizens. It’s the largest Ponzi Scheme in Hawaii history where we are all forced to put our hard earned money in a pot that only those in the top will take the money now with no regard for future. Most Oahu residents logistically will never ride it or ever see any benefit from it.
Legalized Gambling: Do you believe gambling should be legalized in Hawaii in any form and if so, in what form? I do not support legalize gambling. The low-income population would be hardest hit by enticing them into debt & leading them into homelessness. It is a scam to steal from the poor to give to the rich. It encourages the young and old to play high-risk games of chance where the house (the State) always wins. Criminal activities will increase, thus taxing the police at the cost of our public safety.
Public Education: What are your plans to support the public education system while ensuring accountability and results for our students? Do you support an appointed or elected school board? Audit the DOE, streamline wasteful administrative costs, encourage more Charter schools and community involvement. A School Board either appointed or elected doesn’t seem to be the best solution for Educational Reform. Local community based management should be encouraged and budgeting can be simplified per student enrollment
Economic Growth: What are your plans to promote long-term economic growth for Hawaii? Simplify the tax codes and decrease the tax burden on businesses as well as its residents. Make Hawaii business friendly by removing countless restrictions and limitations that the political establishments have place on the businesses of Hawaii.
Crime: What is your solution to making Oahu a safer place to live and visit? Promote stronger consequences to crime, innovate criminal punishment as hard labor and versus incarceration lounging on 3 meals day with cable TV. Make more prisoner work and volunteer projects outside of prison walls teach them work ethics and make them contribute to society. Give citizens more incentives to prevent crime through turning in criminals via
Second Amendment: Would you support concealed carry or more freedom for law abiding firearms owners, do you feel the current laws should remain in place, or do you believe stricter gun laws should be in place? As we learned with the recent murder of a mother and daughter law enforcement forces cannot protect in every situation. Having personal protection will save lives and deter criminals from enacting on devious acts when citizens have firearms. The laws need to be less restrictive for law-abiding citizens and stricter penalties for criminals who commit crimes with firearms.
Homeless: What is your solution to homelessness? Here is just one innovative idea. I would propose to create cultural based community ohana groups by connecting people in need and strengthening the values of Polynesian cultures through various activities such as farming native food crops & the production of locally made products on unused state and government lands. Living standards would at first be limited to the standards of old Hawaii but is better than not have a roof over their heads as it is now.
We need to establish a holistic approach of networking businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies to uplift the needy to encourage them to work together in self-sustaining communities.
They have already created these communities where they help each other watch over their things and provide protection. Those who are more capable often help those less mentally sound. These communities would begin with government assistance to initially draw the needy and organize to themselves but non-profits would assist to provide and help maintain order and logistics. Other organizations can help the needy create businesses based off their cultural based products and services. I envision them to be cultural learning centers for youth to learn Hula and cultural history of Hawaii and even grow to the likes of the Polynesian Cultural Center where tourist would want to stop to see aloha in action. What a testimony to the world that would be.
Compact with Micronesia: Micronesians are able to freely move to Hawaii, which they are doing in large numbers to take advantage of the public education system, medical services and other government benefits. But the governor and other public officials say they are taxing Hawaii’s resources and costing the state more than $100 million a year. This is a federal decision, but would you share your view on whether the Compact with Micronesia should remain in place, should there be some parameters put on the Compact or do you have other solutions?
Definitely this issue needs to be addressed and they should be given only the services that are given to other foreign nationals. They have rights to green cards so they should work for their stay as the rest of the citizens are doing now. If not, they will need to consider moving back to Micronesia to avoid homelessness. Federal laws need to address this issue as Charles Djou is doing.
Akaka Bill: What is your position on the Akaka Bill? Do you believe it will unite or divide Hawaii? What is your vision for how the Akaka Bill will change Hawaii? I support the fact that Native Hawaiians should be able to have their rights similar to other native and indigenous people group to land. I would need to read it before giving it my full support. I would be weary as many were about its scope and possible conflicts with State laws and jurisdictions. I believe that it should not impede on the rights of the people of Hawaii as a whole. I also feel that race base legislation draws a fine line between racism and fairness.
Jones Act: Opponents of the federal Jones Act say it increases the cost of living in Hawaii through a shipping duopoly while supporters say it is needed to ensure port security and American jobs. While this is a federal decision, would you share your view on whether you support an exemption for Hawaii from the Jones Act or should it remain in place?
Endorsements you would like to list: Hawaii Right to Life
Any additional comments: I have already connected with slate of nearly 60 candidates who are committed to reform through the following actions that career politicians would never vote for.
1. Term limits.
2. Downsize the Legislative branch.
3. Expand Sunshine Law to include the Legislature.
The power is in your hands to elect these candidates who serve the everyday people interest rather than Old boy special interests.
Contact information 527 Lauiki St. Apt F.
Phone: 808-354-0463
E-mail: eric4senate@gmail.com
Website: www.Eric4senate.com
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