Nearly 900 delegates, alternates, and other guests from all across the state gathered in Waikiki this Memorial Day weekend for the Democratic Party of Hawai`i State Convention.  But OMG, nobody was prepared for the shocking announcement made on the convention floor Sunday afternoon as former congressman Ed Case, in a stunning display of magnanimity, withdrew from the primary race for the First Congressional District.  Philmund Lee gallantly followed suit to endorse fellow Democratic candidate Colleen Hanabusa as well.  Though two doors may have closed, many more have definitely opened as Hawai`i moves back toward complete democratic representation in congress.

On behalf of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i, I would like to thank you for your hard work in organizing and executing our March 3^rd caucus meetings.  Without your efforts, Maui County would not have been fully represented at our convention.  As it was, Maui County was able to send 83 out of a total 132 delegates allotted to our state convention to have their voices heard.  This is an excellent turn out and we appreciate everything you’ve done to make this convention a success.

As the new chair of the Democratic party of Hawai`i, it is a pleasure to witness the people of Maui county voice their ideas and address the issues we face in the State of Hawai`i.  It is heartening to know that I am able to rely on people like you to make sure that everyone is given the opportunity to participate in making Hawai`i a place where the people have the power!

Mahalo Nui Loa,

Dante K. Carpenter

Chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i

by Rep. Alan Grayson

Next week, there is going to be a “debate” in Congress on yet another war funding bill. The bill is supposed to pass without debate, so no one will notice.

What George Orwell wrote about in 1984 has come true. What Eisenhower warned us about concerning the “military-industrial complex” has come true. War is a permanent feature of our societal landscape, so much so that no one notices it anymore.

But we’re going to change this. Today, we’re introducing a bill called ‘The War Is Making You Poor Act’. The purpose of this bill is to connect the dots, and to show people in a real and concrete way the cost of these endless wars.

Next year’s budget allocates $159,000,000,000 extra (above the already budgeted war funds) to perpetuate the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq. That’s enough money to eliminate federal income taxes for the first $35,000 of every American’s income. Beyond that, leaves over $15 billion to cut the deficit.

And that’s what this bill does. It eliminates separate funding for the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, and eliminates federal income taxes for everyone’s first $35,000 of income ($70,000 for couples). Plus it pays down the national debt.

You must be registered by August 19 to vote in the primary.  And the primary is where all the action is happening this election

http://hawaii.gov/elections/forms/voter_application.pdf

Primary is on a Saturday – Sept 18th.  You can vote absentee (e.g. vote by mail) and get an absentee ballot here:

http://hawaii.gov/elections/voters/voteabsentee.htm