Test Legislators for Drug Use

GRASS IN REVIEW

GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF HAWAII

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

WEEKLY GRASS IN REVIEW - December 12, 2007

Test Legislators for Drug Use
A Message from Dick Rowland

In a recent issue of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin were two letters to the editor which caught my eye. In the first, Robin Uyeshiro bemoaned the drug testing for teachers while noting that other important groups are not tested. The second, by attorney William Fenton Sink, discussed the generally low quality of legislators.

Both make good points. Why don't we put them together and see what results? Obviously, all legislators should be frequently drug-tested and results made public. To do otherwise is to say their duties are less important than teachers, they are self-serving to exclusion of all else, or they are too dumb to get the connection. Perhaps all are true for many of them. We should demand better and replace most as soon as possible.

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.

Big Shocker: Secular Liberals Don’t Care…As Much
By Gary Palmer

As a post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas column, it might be appropriate to think about our role in society and our responsibility to our community and to each other. How we perceive the world around us, our religious views and our view of various institutions and traditions greatly influence our attitudes about our personal responsibilities toward other people, especially people who are in need.

(To read more, click here.)

For Salvation
By Paul Jacob

I like to understand people when they speak. Speak a foreign language, and we’re back to charades. Still, I’m not for laws penalizing people for not speaking English. I really prefer the persuasion that’s built into a free society.

A big part of that persuasion is economic. Trade requires communication, and markets alone tend to entice faster language-learning and assimilation. Immigrants who speak English earn 50 to 60 percent more than those who don’t.

(To read more, click here.)

FRESH PERSPECTIVE

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>>>2+2=5

The Mystery of Hawaiian History>>>Blog Archives>>>Kau Inoa TV/Radio ads featuring Malia Craver and Dennis Kamakahi

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.

Did you miss Paul Jacob's keynote speech at the November 3rd Annual Dinner? You're in luck, as it will be broadcast on Channel 54. Here's the schedule:

Sunday, December 16, 3:00 PM
Tuesday, December 18, 8:30 PM
Sunday, December 23, 3:30 PM
Monday, December 24, 8:30 PM
One of our members reports that the deadline for the Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student (MVS) scholarships is approaching, January 11, 2008. Only high school seniors who are US citizens are eligible to apply and need not be related to a member of the Elks. Applicants are judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need. Click here to see the details and download the application. The Elks are planning to award 482 4-year scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 per year! Let's find some good applicants from Hawaii.
Annual Dinner photos have arrived. We will slowly begin e-mailing them to those of you who have only a few photos and contacting those who have many photos about delivering you a CD. CDs will be created and sent to awardees automatically. Remember that photos are not to be published, put on the Internet, or e-mailed to others without the permission of those photographed.
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, as well as 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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

Chuck Muth, president of Citizen Outreach, a limited-government public policy organization dedicated to putting the "public" back in public policy, will be in Honolulu during January. We have tentatively scheduled Chuck for a luncheon speaking engagement at the Pacific Club on Friday, January 18th starting at 11:30 AM. Tickets will be around $25. If you do not regularly receive invitations to the Honolulu Calabash and would like to be invited, please e-mail dick@grassrootinstitute.org or call him at (808)591-9193. More information forthcoming.
Small Business Hawaii's Annual Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, January 9th at the Ala Moana Hotel, 8 AM - 2 PM. Rocker & entrepreneur Gene Simmons will speak on "Ten Points to Make You Rich Like Me." Click here for more information.

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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