The Ultimate Resource... Forgotten

GRASS IN REVIEW

GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF HAWAII

Nurturing the rights and responsibilities of the individual in a civil society.

WEEKLY GRASS IN REVIEW - February 6, 2008

The Ultimate Resource... Forgotten
A Message from Dick Rowland

The December issue of Hawaii Business contained a "Talk Story" with Bill Kaneko, President of HIPA, on the 2050 Sustainability Plan. There was also a piece by Former Governor George Ariyoshi titled "Hawaii 2050 Can Work".

Reading the two pieces, I could not help being deeply disturbed. First, sustainability implies stasis-- keeping everything the same.

This is certainly not what is wanted. The American Dream is still alive. We want our children to be smarter, happier, healthier, more prosperous etc. than we are. And they want the same for their kids. We are not going to get that practicing stasis.

Then George Ariyoshi says that, with respect to the 1978 Hawaii State Plan, the 2050 plan will be even more important. "The reason is that our population has grown and life has become more congested, yet the resources of our islands are the same".

Hold it Governor! We have vastly more people obviously living a much more prosperous life but the same resources? The same cars, ships, airplanes, computers and other technology? That makes no sense. And the reason is simple but very profound.

The ultimate, best, resource is the creative human brain. And the more of those we have (and use) the better off we are and will be. We now have lots more of those than we did in 1978 and hopefully, we will have even more in 2050. Yet, the 2050 plan, just like the 1978 one, gave human ingenuity and the personal freedom that it depends upon, little if any attention.

In other words, policies that allow freedom for people to create, excel or fail will move us toward a prosperous 2050. To provide and ensure such policies are about all government can or should do.

Otherwise plans are useless -- or worse-- particularly if followed.

Thank God they mostly aren't.

A version of this article appeared as a “Letter to the Editor” in the February 2008 issue of Hawaii Business magazine.

IN THE NEWS - HIGHLIGHTED COMMENTARIES
Grassroot Institute is regularly featured in news articles and broadcasts around the state. Here is a sample of some of our recent articles, research stories, and other articles of interest.

A Question of Balance
By Paul Jacob

A leading candidate for the presidency said recently, and I quote, “I want to get back to the appropriate balance of power between government and the market.” Though I agree with the statement, the candidate’s meaning is not the meaning I would intend were I saying it.

Government has gotten way out of whack with markets. But contrary to the candidate’s point, there’s too much government, which has grown ferociously in the past seven years. It’s leaching off of private wealth at far too fast a rate. And its tentacles inhibit too much growth.

The candidate in question, however, argued that we need more government taking a more active role, in part to address the “excesses” of the Bush Administration. Puzzling. The excesses of the Bush administration have been in the area of government growth. Too much spending, too few vetoes.

(To read more, click here.)

Global Warming Skeptics Prepare for International Conference in New York
By James M. Taylor

Hundreds of the world's leading "skeptics" of the theory of man-made global warming will meet in New York City on March 2-4 to present their case and discuss the latest scientific, economic, and political research on climate change.

Scholarships Available: The Heartland Institute is providing travel scholarships to qualified scientists, economists, and policy experts willing to speak at the event. A limited number of scholarships also will be available to elected officials and government officials interested in attending.

Registration for the event is $625 before February 15, and $720 after that date. Media and students may attend at the special rate of $312 before February 15, and $360 after that date.

(To read more, click here.)

HONOLULUTRAFFIC.COM

The mission of HonoluluTraffic.com is to seek cost effective ways to reduce traffic congestion on Oahu. Add your name to the list of supporters. Here are the most recent posts/additions to the site:

Experts panel chooses fifth member
Ken Orski: Transportation Funding Commission's report summary
New for our Glossary & Acronyms page
The Dulles Corridor needs HOT lanes

You can read these and more at HonoluluTraffic.com.

Other items of interest:

Study shows that more fuel efficient cars do not lead to more driving. "If cars were more efficient, would we use less fuel?" by Kenneth A. Small and Kurt Van Dender (Access #31, UC Transportation Center, Spring 2008, 6 pp).
Study shows that despite rising fuel costs and climate change concerns, consumers buy automobiles for emotional and not economic reasons. "Fuel Economy: What Drives Consumer Choice?" by Tom Turrentine, Kenneth Kurani, and Rusty Heffner (Access #31, UC Transportation Center, Spring 2008, 6 pp).
This website has a easy-to-understand overview of Washington State's first high occupancy toll (HOT) lane project. SR 167 - HOT Lanes Pilot Project (January 2008).

FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Taking Away Plastic Smacks of Socialism
By Janae Rasmussen

Our state government is considering banning plastic shopping bags. What choices do they want to take away from us next? The federal government recently passed legislation that will ban incandescent light bulbs and force carmakers to build smaller cars than people want.

(To read more, click here.)

Opportunity for Young Adults:
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii created the Fresh Perspective column exclusively to publish the work of high school and college students. In addition to work appearing on GRIH’s website, their work is also submitted to Hawaii Reporter. Submissions are welcome from any interested young adult, and we will publish work that is clearly written and grammatically sound. For earlier Fresh Perspectives please click here.

Contact: wendy@grassrootinstitute.org for more info.

TRY OUR BLOGS
Use these links to access various topics.

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Lingle-Aiona Initiatives 2008 - Protecting our food supply

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>2008: It Wasn’t Supposed to Go Like This

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>How Not to Address Climate Change

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Cali Deficit Targeted for Termination

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Lingle-Aiona Initiatives 2008 - Reducing the Cost of Living

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Textbook-rental firm aims to go national

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Hawaii joins with IRS to catch cheats

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Executive winners and losers of 2007

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Cool it – The Skeptical Environmentalist’s Guide to Global Warming

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Panic itself can help bring on recession

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Those Pell Vouchers

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>The Wireless Imaginarium of Michael Copps

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Economic Stimulus Proposal Is Flawed

The Mystery of Hawaiian History>>>Blog Archives>>>The Most Important Issue Facing the Hawaii Legislature for 2008

Read what others have written or add your own thoughts by clicking here.

LIBERTY NETWORK

"Call of the Entrepreneur" was shown on January 30th at the Elks club as a community service project. Sandra Burgess and Gloria Yau planned and executed the event. The movie was enjoyed immensely by the 28 attendees. If you want to arrange a showing, email dick@grasrootinstitute.org.
GRIH joined the National Taxpayers Union and 21 others on January 28th, signing an Open Letter to the United States Congress: "Don't Fall for 'Stimulus' Fairy Tales!" Click here to read the letter.
GRIH seeks one or more individuals willing to endure up to six months of clerical work (to learn the center-right think tank business) who could then be promoted to handle some amount of program work. Funding for program work in the youth program and government/tax areas is available now. Funds for programs in other areas forthcoming. We seek college graduates or individuals with an equivalent amount of work experience. Applicants must be able to type and format Word documents; send, reply to and forward Outlook e-mail with various attachments; enter data in Excel work sheets; and have fair understanding of Windows XP file management and experience with standard office equipment. We are looking for individuals who have something to show from their life experience that they can bring to the job, good writing skills, and knowledge of current events or American government. If this sounds like you or someone you know, call Wendy at the GRIH office -- (808)591-9193 -- or email resume to wendy@grassrootinstitute.org.

How fast does the state spend your money?
State spending is out of control. Watch the dollars fly out the window.....

Have an Institute speaker at your next meeting!
From taxation to education, from health care to transportation, the Institute’s staff is ready to address your group regarding the important policy issues facing all citizens of Hawaii. Call (808) 591-9193 to check availability and make arrangements, or e-mail us at wendy@grassrootinstitute.org .

Grassroot Institute is a proud member of the State Policy Network and Townhall.

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