GRASS IN REVIEW

GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF HAWAII

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

 WEEKLY GRASS IN REVIEW   -    November 21, 2007

Abundance and Obligation
A Message from Dick Rowland

I guess we have lots to be thankful for. Aw schucks, that came out negative. We DO have a bunch of blessings. For most of them we stand on the shoulders of those that lived and worked so hard to give us a system of government and a free society that has enabled us to produce prosperity. Lots of prosperity. Look around the world. Then look at us. That should be sobering. We have much to lose. And lose it we will if we (that means you... and me) don't stay alert and active.

Toward the end of the century before last Lord Acton warned, "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."

The leaders of our cities, counties, our state, and our nation tend toward corruption. The longer they stay in office, the better they learn to use and abuse their power. Eventually the power "corrupts absolutely". Arrogance goes hand in hand with the power. There are no exceptions.

So let's give thanks on this Thanksgiving for our individual freedoms and our individual ability to curb arrogant power whether it is in our voluntary associations or the political leaders who work everyday to expand government power and make us all more dependent on them. There is a name for that: statism. And the reason they want the state to grow is because it increases their power (they know best what's good for you) thus leading to their eventual corruption.

With that in mind, this Thanksgiving let’s get real and make a resolution about individual freedom to succeed or fail and enjoy or suffer the consequences. That power has allowed us to produce. But it is not free. Obligations go with it. And those obligations demand hard work. If your children or grandchildren are to enjoy future Thanksgivings, you need to adopt this philosophy.

If it is to be, it is up to me.

TRY OUR BLOGS
Use these links to access various topics.

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>The 2008 Authoritarian Olympics

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>No Alternatives?

The Mystery of Hawaiian History>>>Blog Archives>>>OHA Sneak Attack on Civil Rights Committee Rebutted; Twisted History Straightened Out

Read what others have written or add your own thoughts. Click here for more blogs.

LIBERTY NETWORK

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a member of an extensive international liberty network of organizations that promote more individual autonomy and less governmental involvement in human affairs.

• On Thursday, October 25th, from 7:00-9:00 AM, Elaine Willman, Chairman of Citizens Equal Rights Alliance, spoke at the weekly SBH Sunrise about her experience with Indian tribes and the Akaka Bill. As with any SBH Sunrise, a broadcast of her talk will be aired on Channel 54 @ 4:30 pm each Sunday for the remainder of November. Elaine's talk has been slightly edited in order to fit the broadcast time. In the future, a shorter portion of her talk will be available in YouTube format on the SBH site.

• GRIH president Dick Rowland will be in Washington, DC from December 2-6 attending a State Policy Network networking meeting.

• 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, who have good writing skills, and who have 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 e-mail resume to wendy@grassrootinstitute.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

All of the Institute’s events, research publication dates and speaking engagements are available on our website.

Friday, November 30th GRIH is sponsoring a showing of the Acton Institute's "The Call of the Entrepreneur."
The 57 minute film will be shown at 3:30 pm in HPU's Warmer Auditorium, 1060 Bishop Street, Penthouse.  From 4:30 - 5:00 PM, there will be a roundtable of local entrepreneurs sharing personal stories and their comments on the film.  Open to HPU students and the community.  Light refreshments will be served.  There is no admission fee. Sponsored by HPU Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE@HPU), GRIH, Entrepreneurship Center of HPU and The Acton Institute.  Seating is limited to 80.  Call Wendy at the office or email wendy@grassrootinstitute.org so seats can be saved for you.