Djou Uses Hanabusa-UPW Flap In Fundraising Pitch

From our Capitol Watch blog:

The congressional campaign of Charles Djou sent out a fundraising request to supporters Thursday (Sept. 27) that said as follows:

This morning, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that the United Public Workers union (UPW) was fined over $5,000 for matters related to UPW’s firing of two UPW employees for their refusal to “donate” and “volunteer” for Rep. Colleen Hanabusa’s 2010 congressional campaign. When asked if Hanabusa would return the money and campaign support she received from UPW as a result of this disgusting practice. Hanabusa said she doesn’t condone the practice, but will gladly continue to accept all the money and political help that comes from it. That’s like saying it’s wrong to force people to work in a sweat shop, and then turn around and buy the shirt made from sweat shop labor.

Firing an employee for refusing to “donate” and “volunteer” for a political campaign is a repulsive, but all too common practice in local politics. This is how the political establishment works in Hawaii, and Colleen Hanabusa is a direct beneficiary of this disgusting practice.

Our campaign is different.  We would never accept campaign contributions from anyone forced to “donate” or “volunteer” to us under threat of losing their job.  Please help us level the playing field and consider making a personal contribution to help us fight back. Your contribution of $25, $50, $250 or any amount up to the legal limit of $2500 will help us battle the old boy establishment.