The stereotype that all politicians are crooks seems more true today than ever. We know this first-hand here in Hawai’i where several of our elected officials are now sitting in jail after being caught taking bribes and violating the public trust.

Others have escaped getting caught (so far) and remain in public office. They’ve been there for decades and most likely cannot remember their first free lunch with that first lobbyist that soon evolved to drinks after session and ultimately generous support when reelection time rolled around. A handshake and a wink away from that inevitable conversation, “I need some help passing/killing a bill. Sure not a problem, what was that Bill # again?”

It makes me want to throw up.

Of course all politicians are not crooks but this past week New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez (D) dramatically reinforced that stereotype – badly damaging the entire institution that is our democracy.

Senator Menendez has been the long time Chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, one of the most powerful committees in the U.S. Senate. He’s now under federal indictment accused of “influence peddling” and accepting bribes. Federal investigators discovered gold bars and nearly a half a million dollars in cash stuffed in various corners of his home.

Can’t make this stuff up. It’s disgusting really.

We here in Hawai’i must join with members of Congress and Democrats in New Jersey and across America in calling for his resignation.

The Democratic Party of Hawai’i, our Congressional delegation, and every elected official and individual citizen who cares about restoring faith and confidence in our elected officials must help lead the way with the same message.

Yes, he’s innocent until proven guilty, but a close read of the indictment and even a casual review of his past activities – is evidence enough that his continuing presence in the U.S. Senate is unacceptable.

Those who hold elective office must be held to a higher standard. Only the truly arrogant, who believe they are both entitled and untouchable would leave hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash just laying around the house.

According to the indictment, Senator Menendez accepted a long list of gifts/payments/bribes (exact definition to be clarified at trial) including cash, gold, payments toward a home mortgage, compensation for a low-or-no-show job, and even apparently a brand new Mercedes Benz. Were those items given to him intended to influence his actions and did he in fact “sell influence” are the legal questions. But what is legal, moral, and ethical do not always align – and our elected officials must be held to the very highest standard.

This guy and all the other snakes just like him must go.

The corruption, fortunately or unfortunately is not specific to one party. Former President Donald Trump (R) is now facing over 90 criminal counts in 4 different indictments at both a State and Federal level. Tipping the scales in favor of “all politicians regardless of Party are crooks.”

Without a doubt there are others in both Hawai’i and D.C. at this very moment shaking in their boots, trying desperately to cover their own tracks, while awaiting a similar federal knock on their door.

A pox on them all.

Please join me today in reaching out to Hawai’i United States Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono. Thank them for their dedicated service and ask them please to speak out publicly asking for the resignation of Senator Menendez.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D), U.S. Senator Cory Booker, and many other sitting members of Congress have already publicly stated he should resign. The Chair of the New Jersey’s Democratic party has also called for his resignation.

Hawai’i should join in solidarity with New Jersey, and help push the national conversation. Enough is enough. Elected officials at all levels must be held to the highest of ethical standards. Those unwilling to do so – must leave.

*note – Mahalo to Senator Hirono who tweeted yesterday (after this had already gone to press) –
“As Senators, we serve in positions of public trust. While Senator Menendez is innocent until proven guilty, the heart of the allegations erodes public trust. As such, I believe he should step down.”
*another update – Senator Schatz also tweeted: “Members of the Senate Ethics Committee (who therefore may avoid weighing in on Menendez allegations) Coons (chair), Lankford, Schatz, Risch, Shaheen, Fischer

Gary Hooser (http://www.garyhooser.com)
former Hawai’i State Senator
former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
presently retired and making “good trouble” in policy and politics
“Crooked politicians – a pox on them all” – published 09/27/23 The Garden Island newspaper