07-22-2010 - Rebuilding Hawaii’s Economy Around YOUR Interests

by Neil Abercrombie

Yesterday I released my plan for improving our economy and creating jobs. In 2010, the choice is clear. We can rebuild our economy around the interests of Hawaii’s middle class, or we can reelect Hawaii’s economic status quo.

Hawaii’s economy is about you, your family, your job, your ability to pay the rent and utilities, put food on the table, save for retirement, put your kids in college, and take good care of your aging parents. The economy is about whether you can live comfortably in the present and plan for the future.

By these measures, you don’t need any statistics to tell you that the economy of Hawaii can do much better.

My economic plan is about good jobs, greater financial security, economic opportunity, and long-term sustainability. It’s about the Hawaii we always talk about, but has never been realized because it takes collaboration, political courage, and leadership that has been lacking in Hawaii.

The other plan for Hawaii’s economy is to keep managing our way through more of the same, where we cater to the interests of the wealthy for a short term gain and export our children to pursue their long-term dreams elsewhere. It’s economics-as-usual in Hawaii and we cannot afford it anymore.

As Governor, I will set a course and then put my trust in you—the construction workers and engineers who will build our new infrastructure; the entrepreneurs and small business owners who will keep dollars circulating; the scientists and technicians who will harness clean energy; the farmers and fishermen who will produce our food; the principals and teachers who will educate our children; the health care professionals who will prevent costly illnesses; the public service employees who will make government work efficiently again; and every single working person serving as the backbone of Hawaii’s economy.

Leadership you can trust means looking out for you and your family, focusing our limited public resources on the important priorities, and making a firm commitment to getting the job done.

Imua Hawaii!