Small Business News
May 2005 | Online Edition
The Culture of Fear - Redoubled
By Ted Hong, Attorney
The rejection of John Kai’s nomination as University of Hawaii Regent leaves no doubt the Democratic majority’s “Culture of Fear” is alive and well. The hallmark of this “Culture” is the wholesale rejection of people with different perspectives than the ruling Party. Through fear and intimidation, they shut out other citizens who want to serve their community and participate in state government. Kai’s rejection was a blatant and unapologetic example of how it works.
Just before Kai’s confirmation hearing, Sen. Clayton Hee, D-Kahaluu, the Senator chairing the committee hearing the nomination, sent Kai and another Regent nominee, campaign fundraiser tickets valued at $250. Kai threw them away, while the other nominee bought $50 worth of them. Kai did not get confirmed, the other nominee did. Although Hee distanced himself from his practice of squeezing campaign money from any potential source, his apology on the floor of the Hawaii State Senate rang hollow.
It’s clear Hee and his staff knew all along who Kai was, that his confirmation hearing was pending, but they wanted to enforce the “Pay to Play” rule. If Kai wanted to have Hee’s approval, he had to pay. Kai lost because he had principles and didn’t pay the price of admission. But Hee wasn’t going to allow Kai or any other nominee, now or in the future to forget. For Hee, the “Culture of Fear” is simple; do what we tell you, pay what we tell you, take the beating we give you and maybe, we’ll let you play. Hee makes an excellent poster child for the “Culture of Fear.” But he has some competition.
Sen. Norman Sakamoto, D-Moanalua, tipped his hand as an elitist, who believes in a caste system of government. In justifying his rejection of Kai’s nomination, Sakamoto says small, successful business owners like Kai, have no place on any governing Board, including the Regents. He dismisses Kai’s success as a financial advisor. He ignored the millions of dollars Kai shepherds daily on behalf of loyal, trusting investors. He didn’t consider Kai’s humble beginnings, hard work and struggle to become successful. For Sakamoto, the “Culture of Fear” serves as a warning to those who don’t meet his definition of success or elitist lifestyle, that we should stay in our place. But Sen. Roz Baker, D-Maui, was not to be outdone. After Hee savaged Kai’s performance as Regent, after Sakamoto dismissed his professional success, Baker attacked Kai personally, bringing down another person, in a public way.
Today, the “Culture of Fear” is winning and efforts to scare local people away from public service and volunteering is working. More people than ever withdrew as nominees to state boards and commissions, in part because of the intentionally boorish and hostile treatment by the Senate Democrats including Hee, Sakamoto, Baker as well as Sen. Brian Kanno, D-Kapolei, Sen. Donna Kim, D-Moanalua, and Sen. Lorraine Inouye, D-Hilo. Clearly, reputation and standing in the community is important to each one of us. No one can fault anyone who wants to withdraw their nomination after having witnessed the “Culture of Fear” in action. Yet, each of us, regardless of political perspective or profession, have the right to demand the same courtesy and respect shown to the rich, powerful and politically connected in our state. No matter who we are, we deserve to participate in and contribute to how our government is run. This is a participatory democracy and no one has the right to say we can’t participate, including those who worship at the altar of the “Culture of Fear.” It’s time to stand up and tell them, “No more.”
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