Blaming immigrants, the mail man, and local election officials for manipulating our elections is convenient, and makes for easy sound bites that resonate with many.

In reality illegal voting by illegal immigrants, occurs in minuscule numbers, voting by mail is hugely popular, and the entire local election process is closely monitored.

The real culprits, hiding in plain sight, are the rich businessmen and their SuperPacs who spend millions to elect candidates who will then help them get even more rich.

But yes, it’s much easier to beat up on a faceless, nameless immigrant.

Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) via its SuperPac “For a Better Tomorrow” has already spent nearly $7 million in Hawaiʻi this election cycle, AND has over $8 million in the bank, awaiting the next round. *per Campaign Spending Commission

The $7,000,000 was spent on manipulating voter opinion, and electing “their candidates”.

Countless television ads were purchased. Thousands of “direct mail” pieces were sent out. Extensive voter polling – voter identification – and “push polling” was conducted. ALL paid for by the SuperPac AND all in support of their chosen candidates.

They were clearly successful. The millions spent by “For a Better Tomorrow” ensured that PRP’s choice for Lieutenant Governor, numerous State legislators, and a number of County Councilmembers, made it successfully through the Primary Election.

The outcome is totally understandable, and predictable. The money advantage was overwhelming in favor of their chosen candidates.

Elections are won and lost based primarily on positive name recognition, and the candidate campaign supported by the most money – will nearly always win. *70-80% of the time according to the Campaign Legal Center

When China or the Soviet Union have attempted in the past to sway public sentiment and manipulate U.S. elections, the headlines were full of outrage and indignation.

Yet, when the state’s largest construction union—along with more than 250 of the largest contractors in Hawaiʻi, join together to manipulate election outcomes, there are only yawns, winks, and shoulder shrugs.

To be absolutely clear: “Manipulate” means, “the act of skillfully or unscrupulously altering something or someone to accomplish one’s own objectives.”

This is what’s happening today.

What exactly does PRP and SuperPac “For a Better Tomorrow”, get for their $7,000,000?

First and foremost, they get eternal gratitude from their chosen candidates.

And of course they get access. Without question, the candidate will always take the call, and always make space in their calendar, when asked to do so by the big money benefactor.

The continued wealth of PRP’s member contractors, depends on increased government spending on capital improvement projects (CIP), AND minimizing government regulation for real estate development and construction in general.

Consequently they have a huge stake in the decisions made by Federal, State and County government and are willing to spend large sums of money to elect candidates who will help move these two main planks of their agenda forward.

This does not mean the candidate who benefits from the PRP SuperPac generosity is “crooked” or “corrupt”, but it does mean they are seen as someone who when elected, will lean towards accommodating their needs and policy preferences.

Any candidate who feels they’re being unfairly painted as “in bed with the big money” or otherwise believes their integrity is being challenged by their close association with PRP and “For a Better Tomorrow”- need only express out loud their support for “campaign spending reform”, publicly funded elections, and “closing the contractor loophole”.

But unfortunately they don’t and they won’t – because winning is what’s most important to them, AND they’ve convinced themselves the benefactor’s wealth and support will not impact their future decisions, and it’s all for the greater good anyway.

Fast-forward: The newly elected official is participating in their first public hearing, contemplating passage of Bill #4321 proposing to “reduce environmental protections and remove regulatory impediments to development”.

While listening to public testimony, a text arrives – “Hello Senator/Representative/Councilmember, I’m watching the live-stream on Bill #4321, and hoping we can count on your support to pass Bill #4321 “as is”. I can see the environmental community has packed the room and adamant it should be killed. Lmk if you need more info, otherwise I look forward to joining you for dinner at Morton’s Steakhouse Thursday (unless you prefer the Pacific Club).”

This is the way it works folks.

No one spends $7 million dollars without expecting something in return.