I had some warning this time, luckily. Everything should run smoothly this time around.

Here’s a recap of my previous problems, in case you missed them.

Yesterday, one area of concern was raised several times during the President’s visit – the necessity of Hawaiian Federal recognition. Governor Lingle reportedly discussed the issue with President Bush in his limo, and Senator Ed Case handed a letter to White House Chief of Staff Andy Card.

The issue, as I’ve mentioned earlier, is a crucial one in Hawai’i’s future. Governor Lingle and Lt. Governor Aiona, and all four Congressional representatives, all support the bill. (Talk about bipartisan.)

Yet, despite all this urging, Mr. Bush made no effort to mention any of this during his campaign fundraiser. Yes, I know the speeches are canned, but I’m sure he has publicity people that hound him just as closely as the Secret Service does.

President Bush’s stop in Australia has caused a lot of controversy, mainly due to his “one-liner,” as Phil puts it: “I love free speech.” While I believe the right of free speech includes the right to shut up, I think it’s in the best interest of politicians to be forthcoming to the media, unless they have something to hide.

Mr. Bush has been in Hawai’i since 8:00 this morning. His first stops were the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, followed by the Battleship Missouri Memorial. Both were fitting places for America’s commander-in-chief to visit.

However, his itinerary, in my view, soured after that. The President will be attending a Republican fundraiser scheduled to begin at any moment now. The fundraiser, costing between $1,000 and $2,000 per seat, is his second during the 12-hour stopover. The first was held at the exclusive Kahala Mandarin Oriental, for $10,000 a ticket. The Star-Bulletin estimates that the fundraisers may bring in over $1 million for the Hawai’i Republican Party – generally considered secondary to the Democrats.

Raising millions of dollars for campaigns is a constant source of irritation for me. I believe that elected leaders, like Biblical ones, should be servants of the people, rather than masters. I would love for U.S. elections to be decoupled from fundraising. The Presidential election check-off is a great idea – one I think should be changed from a voluntary program to a mandatory one. Starting all candidates on an equal footing gives them the ability to present their platforms on equal footing, letting the voter truly pick a candidate based on their merits.

P.S. For the Democrats who argue that Republicans are products of the rich, here’s a little fuel for the fire: Bill Clinton’s trip to Hawai’i included stops at golf courses, McDonald’s, and the most local stop a tourist can make – Zippy’s.

Kirk Jones, a 40-year-old idiot, jumped over the 173-foot tall Niagara Falls yesterday, and somehow managed to climb out when he hit the bottom, according to USA Today.

I hope he’s saved up for his little adventure – his stupidity is likely to cost him $10,000 in fines. Actually, I hope he’s prayed up, too.