Posted on: Wednesday, August 7, 2002

EDITORIAL
Let's focus campaign on issues, issues, issues

Regarding the flap about Gov. Ben Cayetano's criticism of Republican gubernatorial aspirant Linda Lingle's "New Beginning" campaign platform, several quotes from the late Sidney Hook seem apropos.

Hook, a prominent intellectual who began as a Marxist and ended as a highly regarded conservative, wrote in a New Yorker article:

"The cardinal sin, when we are looking for truth of fact or wisdom of policy, is refusal to discuss, or action which blocks discussion."

Hook also wrote:

"Before impugning an opponent's motives, even when they legitimately may be impugned, answer his arguments."

Both Cayetano and Lingle have used government time and personnel to add to political debate. In the most recent case, Cayetano used tax officials to analyze Lingle's economic development proposals.

That has produced a formal complaint filed with the state Ethics Commission by Republican Party chairman Micah Kane.

That's fine. Let this particular matter be worked out in due time and due course. Our position is that what made Cayetano's analysis "political" was the rhetoric that came attached to the numbers.

In the meantime, however, we should remember that it's the debate that's central to the democratic process, not the stationery.

Whose ideas make the most sense for Hawai'i as it move forward into the 21st century? How can we build a sustainable state budget in an era of economic doldrums?

Are there tax incentives that demonstrably produce more economic activity than they cost in tax "loss"?

Those are the issues we want to hear talked about for the rest of this campaign.