HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0446.004 2014-2016P/ccuucIL
Comm. 44(,
Murashige, Laura
From: Barbara Polk <barbarapolk@hawaiiantel.net>
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2015 7:29 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Support for Resolution 267-15
Members of the Hawaii County Council:
Although I live on Oahu, I want to urge the Hawaii County Council to pass Resolution 267-15 that would have the Council
urge the Hawaii State Association of Counties to include in its legislative package a resolution encouraging the State
Legislature to pass a strengthened resolution in support of a constitutional amendment to overturn the US Supreme
Court's decision in the Citizens United case. This important issue is of concern to residents throughout the state, and I
am very pleased to see the Hawaii County Council taking the lead statewide.
This resolution contains the basic arguments that are being raised around the country, as we watch large donors and
corporations take advantage of the Supreme Court's decision to,skew political dialog and drown out the voices of
natural persons. I need not repeat them here. However, several other problems have emerged:
>Big donor "independent expenditures" make it difficult for candidates to make their own cases, since there is nothing
to stop these entities from putting words in the candidates' mouths.
>By funneling money through Super -PACs, corporations and wealthy individuals are able to hide their donations from
the public.
>The separation between candidates and "independent expenditures" that was envisioned by the Supreme Court has
become a farce, with SuperPACS sharing offices with candidates, hiring people who have only recently been campaign
advisers, and in other ways.
>The fact that there are major corporate or private entities that have arisen to support candidates from both the
Democratic Party and the Republican Party, does not provide "balance", since the voices of individuals are stifled by
monied interests on both sides.
Once again, I urge you to pass Resolution 267-15.
Sincerely,
Barbara B.Polk
Honolulu,Hawaii .
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