Recently two members of the NLRB ruled that "it is not an unfair labor practice for union militants to threaten to kill the children of workers who refuse to sign union authorization cards."
Congresswoman Patsy Mink wrote me that "threats of violence and other means of coercion in a union election cannot be tolerated."
She went on to state that the "decision involved a question of whether the individual who allegedly made the threats was acting as an official union representative." Congresswoman Mink did not deny that the threats were made but only whether they were "official policy" or not.
My response to Ms. Mink follows:
"I am pleased that you personally do not condone such threats of violence. From the real world standpoint, it does not make any difference if the person making the threats was or was not acting as an official union representative. The perception was that this person was representing the union. The poor woman who suffered these threats did not know whether the person threatening her was an "official Union representative" or a union sympathizer, or whatever. All she knew was that she was being threatened by a union organizer who probably scared the daylights our of her."
"Is there no compassion, no justice, no protection for the common worker who may not wish to join a union? I don't understand all this liberal rhetoric about them caring so very deeply for the workers of America, when, in fact, all they give a damn about is protecting the unions - not the people, not the worker, but the union. For shame."
Watching candidate Clinton, I concluded that here was a man with a real propensity for hypocrisy and a willingness to deceive that would be used freely for political gain.
Talking with some of the reporters, I asked, "Why don't you guys let the American people know more about this man's character ... or lack of it?" The response was chilling; "Orson, you don't understand. People don't care and besides, this is our guy."
The reporters' comments caused me to recall my first eighteen months home after over six years a prisoner of war in Vietnam. During that time, revelations of Watergate and President Nixon grew and grew, and the media pursued them relentlessly.
The media depicted Watergate as threatening the very existence of our democracy.
But most memorable of those days, was the public outrage ... the sense that we had been betrayed and deceived ... by The President.
Studying the constant stream of campaign financing revelations in recent months, it is hard to recollect a time when betrayal and deceit by politicians have been so brazen as that of President Clinton, Vice President Gore and their party cohorts. Arrogance, an air of superiority of purpose, and blaming others seem to rule the day. Elitism is definitely in, and truth and accountability seem irrelevant. Democrat and White House fundraising efforts appear to have violated national security concerns as well as federal laws. One might logically conclude that our democracy is under siege again.
Yet, in the face of one scandal after another in the Clinton Administration, recent surveys indicate there is no outrageamong the American people.
Some say we are too cynical to care. Regardless of reason, we can ill afford a terminal case of apathy. We must not lose our passion for truth, ethical conduct and freedom.
Here in Hawaii over the years, our political leadership has bargained away to a few union leaders the rights of our citizens to govern, to demand openness, accountability and performance, and to control how our tax dollars will be spent. Criminals go unpunished; public education is mediocre; incompetent workers can't be fired; businesses and the economy are crippled; government can't privatize; and the political leadership's idea of economic development is bigger government.
And there is no outrage.
Freedom is threatened as public employee unions hold the taxpayers hostage demanding more taxes. Union bosses intimidate politicians, businesses, the rank and file, and citizens.
And there is no outrage.
Significant numbers of those in big business and positions of influence, far from being outraged, support the status quo as they profit while Hawaii suffers.
I recall two quotes that seem appropriate regarding our challenge ... and our dilemma: George Bernard Shaw suggested that "Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it." The tyrant Adolph Hitler observed, "What luck for rulers that men do not think."
Twenty-four years ago last month, I was fortunate to regain my freedom. Once lost, you really learn to love it. Our freedom is in jeopardy. I'm outraged. How about you?
The 1996 election year was the year of generous campaign contributions. And 1997 is the year of the big payoff. Yes, many politicians who were elected last year are now busy making the payoff to those who contributed to their campaigns. Thousands in contributions for millions in subsidies and favors.
Perhaps this explains the current rush to hand out millions of taxpayer dollars to help the tourist industry in Hawaii. The tourist industry is valuable, but it is a mistake for the government to force taxpayers to pay for the promotion of a particular private enterprise.
Why is it a mistake? The practical reason is that politicians are not very wise in spending money that is forcibly taken from other people. The way to spend money wisely on tourism is for private enterprises to risk their own money, thus rewarding success and punishing foolishness. They learn from it! Politicians usually get the incentives reversed-rewarding foolishness and punishing success. They never learn!
It is fine for private enterprise to ask customers or investors for money. Persuade them, but don't force taxpayers to boost the profits of some private enterprise at the expense of all others. Adam Smith long ago noted that businessmen have been known to talk about the virtues of a free market, but many businessmen don't care much about the free market when it comes to getting government favors for their own special interests. Years ago these men were called "robber barons." Now they are called "corporate welfare queens."
All the talk about welfare reform should apply to them as much as to anyone else. Instead of getting a check from the taxpayers, corporate welfare queens could put boxes in the local churches asking for voluntary donations. Right next to the poor box could be a Fortune 500 box for all the corporations that feel they can't hack it in the marketplace.
The State of Michigan has recently come through major fiscal and economic trauma -the kinds of problems Hawaii is suffering through now, and the renaissance, referred to as the "Michigan Miracle" is really no miracle at all; it is good, common sense. There are a number of lessons that can be learned from Michigan and applied here is Hawaii wants to improve its ranking as worst business climate in the Nation.
For any change or economic improvement to take place, the chief executive, either in private business or in government, must have the attitude, experience and willingness to get the job done. In the case of Michigan, it has been the continuing strength of leadership of Governor John Engler. He was elected in 1990 and reelected in 1994, despite taking tough, committed and sensible stands against taxes, government spending and welfare.
Michigan had many problems and was derided as "the poster child of the rust belt."
Consider, during 1990-95, under Engler's leadership, Michigan:
* balanced the budget each year
* cut taxes 21 times, including the biggest cut ($3.6 BILLION) in the state's history
* downsized state bureaucracy while improving state services
* eliminated regulatory red tape
How did Engler and Michigan do it? First, they had to overcome what the Democratic liberal establishment said was impossible. The old boys called for MORE taxes, MORE spending and MORE government. Engler changed course dramatically.
Instead of just supply-side economics, he enhusiastically pushed supply-side SUCCESS. His positive approach, free market practice and personal commitment turned the tide. Critics said he would be defeated for bucking the system, the unions the bureaucracy. The liberal establishment attacked tax and suspending cuts in the media and at forums. But Engler stuck to his guns, citing John Kennedy's statement with his tax cuts: "a rising tide lifts all boats."
What did the tax and spending cuts actually accomplish in Michigan? When the taxpayers pay lower taxes-and have more take home pay - they invest more. That investment in turn pumps more money into the economy and spurs banks to REDUCE interest rates since there is more cash chasing new projects. When the cost of borrowing declines, businesses, especially manufacturers, not only create more jobs and hire more workers, but buy more equipment which in turn increases productivity. This increased productivity in turn results in lower costs for consumers and higher employee wages.
Just how well did it all transform Michigan's business climate and financial picture? Did the 21 tax cuts hurt the economy or the people?
* Michigan has led the Nation for several years in wage increases
* The state's unemployment rate has been lower than the national average for the first time in 25 years
* In 1995, one of every five new manufacturing jobs in America was created in Michigan
* Michigan is now the poster child for the high performance heart of America's heartland.
Hawaii officials always like to compare our State with other states, but only selectively and only to reflect what they want (regarding welfare, taxes, salaries for public employees). Why not compare us with the Michigan "miracle?"
While we are not Michigan, we can learn from these lessons - which are unique to that State. Our people have fled Hawaii because of its high costs, taxes and union domination. Where have they gone" To Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix and Atlanta. What do all of these locales have in common? They all have CUT taxes, spending and government while increasing incentives for businesses and individuals willing to WORK for success. Isn't it time we tried this method to really jump start our economy? Call your lawmaker!