Running for: U.S. Senate
CURRENT Occupation: Attorney, owns Everything Tailor, a custom suit company with production in Vietnam
MAUI TIME WEEKLY: Why should people vote for you?
MARK BEATTY: There are three areas I am focused on: education, security (specifically, against illegal drugs) and pro-business efficiency. Dan Akaka, my main competition, ran as the great educator, but he has pretty much done nothing. We’re held passive to a monopoly that’s run by union bosses and a Democratic Party monopoly. Also, Akaka has been voted one of the most anti-business senators. For example, because of the Jones Act [which mandates U.S.-flagged vessels in interisland waters], a lot of trade just doesn’t happen here in Hawai’i.
What do you think about George W. Bush?
I’m fairly positive toward George Bush.
What is your favorite thing about him?
He makes decisions based on what he thinks is the best thing to do. Look at the Iraq war. Public opinion is down, and then there are a few victories and public opinion goes up. You can’t run public policy based on a fickle public opinion. In fact, it will probably go up pretty soon.
I’ve talked to a lot of people that have been involved on both sides of the Vietnam War. The communists were one week away from giving up when we pulled out. That’s sticking in my mind—victory is so close in Iraq. Think about it, five years ago, who would want to go to Iraq for vacation? Maybe in five years, people will.
What is the biggest issue facing the United States?
I would say security, but I don’t think terrorists are the biggest security risks. It’s the illegal drug trade. After 9/11 I was called for a year of active duty—I’m in my 17th year in the Army Reserves—on a homeland security mission, and I found that there are all these agencies that aren’t working together.
What do you think is the best way to approach Hawaiian sovereignty?
Do you want me to dance around this one?
No, I want you to answer it.
Well, first of all I would direct you to some of the articles I have written on my website [electmarkbeatty.com]. I think what we should do is modify the Hawaiian Homelands Homeownership Act of 2000, and give those people the land, fee simple. The Act can be seen as non-ethnic because it is based on an actual law. We don’t need a government agency that sucks up a lot of money in itself. Also, they can participate in the welfare system like everyone else, regardless of race.
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of healthcare?
Big government and low quality services. That’s what’s coming to my mind. Sorry I’m so negative. I guess I have trauma in my background coming out.
Marijuana?
Wasted lives.
Labor?
I think of human value and union monopoly. One’s positive, and one’s negative.
Education?
Fun. As in, math is fun.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
When I forgot to put my picture up at the GOP convention, and everybody else had their picture up.
If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?
Myself. I would be myself.
No, who would you meet?
Oh! I guess I don’t have one favorite person. It’s like what Mother Theresa would say, I think, although I can’t think of any quotes right now. I would want to meet the next person that comes by or calls on the phone. MTW
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