Why I Am Running

One of my heroes, Mohandas Gandhi, taught that there are seven things that will destroy a people:

• Wealth without work
• Pleasure without conscience
• Knowledge without character
• Commerce without morality
• Science without humanity
• Worship without sacrifice
• Politics without principle

I fear for the future because I see these seven destructive forces creeping into our homes, our schools, and our government.  We are heading down a path that can only lead to a place of danger and despair.

One reason for this degeneration is that we are just so short-sighted, unable to see past the mark.  The wants and needs of daily life blind us to the big picture.  We rally around leaders who make great promises but fall short time and time again. Our leaders fail because they are also blind to the big picture.  They are so focused on putting out fires that they fail to properly address what is causing these emergencies to erupt in the first place: an abandonment of the values which make us strong and keep us strong.

As Gandhi's list instructs us, worthy accomplishments are meaningless if we forsake our values along the way.  Unfortunately, it happens all the time.  We find it all too easy to abandon our principles when they stand in the way of getting what is wanted or needed now.  It happens every day, in our homes, in our schools, in our places of business, and in our government.

So over the past few years, as I went about providing for my family and running my practice, I couldn't help but notice this decay.  I started to worry and complain about the wrong direction we are heading, but did nothing more than that, worry and complain...

Until it began.  A still, small voice, every now and then, whispers that I should step up and take action. Enough talk.  Do something.  Over time, this "something" is clarified to mean a run for office and make a difference through government service.

With my heart telling me to run, however, my fears start to shout out the reasons why doing so would be a huge mistake! 

"You're too busy!"  My family needs me.  My church needs me.  My patients need me.  With all my time spread out so thin already, how would I ever find the energy and openings in my schedule for campaigning and working in the Legislature?

"People will hate you!"  Most folks can appreciate and respect the Honor Box.  However, by taking a stand on unpopular issues, people could easily turn against me.  The controversy of politics would make me an easy target for derision and ridicule.

"You are not qualified!"  I've got no law degree.  No experience in government.  I should leave politics to those with a greater aptitude and a more applicable background.

"You can't win against your opponent!"  My opponent is an incumbent who according to his web site was elected to the House in 1992.  He is the chair of the Education Committee.  He has the full backing of the Democratic Party.

Compelling reasons to just sit back and watch it all from the sidelines, right?

So why am I doing this?  How did I silence the shouting of my fears and resolve to follow that still, small voice?

Simply put, I have come to believe that it is my duty to follow this path.

My duty to my country and state.  My duty for my friends and family.  And yes, my duty to God.

With all that I've been given in this life, all the opportunities and experiences (both joyful and discouraging), I stand prepared and ready to run, win and serve.

Finding and accepting your duty is a powerful thing.

And as I embark on this journey, I keep these words spoken by President Theodore Roosevelt deep in my heart:

"It's not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."

I enter this arena, no longer a critic, but instead a fighter.  I humbly ask you to join me in this battle.  Let's fight the good fight for our families, our friends, our Hawaii.  Let's fight for our principles and values first and foremost; the political and partisan issues placed second.

We can do this.

Do you have my back?