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In This Issue: Hawaii Tax Vetoes, Gun Rights, Gov. Spending, Liberty News, Family Brain Gain, and more!
Don't Tax Me Bro!
Grassroot Institute Applauds Hawaii's Governor on Tax Vetoes
"Finally! It's about time someone in state government stood up for the taxpayer," said President Jamie Story of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii as she watched Governor Linda Lingle veto several tax bills from the State Legislature. "Government should look in the mirror rather than to the taxpayer to put its fiscal house in order. As we've seen in the past, the very first thing our legislature attempts to do is raise taxes rather than cut expenses," she said.
(To read more, click here.)
GRASSROOT PERSPECTIVE
A Sense of Lawlessness
Why We’re Buying More Guns
By Brandon Bosworth
 A recent Star-Bulletin story noted that Honolulu residents are purchasing guns in ever-increasing numbers. Last year, according to HPD, gun registrations increased 23 percent, and are poised to increase further in 2009. This is in keeping with a national trend. The Wall Street Journal reports that legal firearm sales soared 27 percent in the first three months of 2009. ...
Fear plays a part in the equation, and not just fear of an Obama gun ban. With the economy in various stages of implosion, there are reports of even rich, pampered Ivy League types suddenly developing an interest in self-sufficiency, “living off the grid,” and other matters previously considered only relevant to the loony militia crowd. One longtime investor with extensive experience in the oil business told The Economist that he was learning to grow his own food, just in case things got really bad. Closer to home, the Ala Moana Barnes and Noble recently featured a display of books dealing with survival issues.
(To read more, click here.)
FRESH PERSPECTIVE
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. Please contact tom@grassrootinstitute.org for more info.
Free Lunch?
It Only Applies to Women
By Frances Nuar
Ask any woman how easy it is to take a credit card that isn’t hers and spend, knowing someone else is footing the bill. She buys new shoes when she already has a closetful, goes to the spa daily, buys lunch for all her friends. Not too hard to imagine. But now imagine her benefactor suffers a huge economic blow and can’t fund her lifestyle the same way anymore. Would it be cruel to expect her to cut back on her spending? Not in the least, considering she never earned the money to begin with.
Now imagine that woman is the government. Isn’t it about time she is held accountable for the money she has already spent, before she starts demanding more? Is that really asking too much?
(To read more, click here.)
GRASSROOT REVIEWS
Have you read a good book or viewed a good DVD on liberty or free market subject recently? Let your fellow GRIH members know and share your views with the 'Grassroot Reviews'. Please send your book, movie or video review to tom@grassrootinstitute.org
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GRASSROOT TV
Please check out the NEW videos we have at GTV, including speeches from the 2009 Hawaii Tax Day Tea Party!
http://www.youtube.com/user/GrassrootHawaii
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'GRASSROOT INSIGHT' AUDIOCASTS
Interviews with VIPs, community leaders, and special guests from the liberty and freedom movement are available FREE for download to your portable listening device or for listening via the Internet.
This issue GRIH President Jamie Story discusses the just-completed legislative session.
For the interview with President Story, please click here!
Please check out our recent podcasts:
• GRIH Communications Director Tom McAuliffe speaks on the #1 morning radio talk show in Hawaii, "The Rick Hamada Show," about the recent BHI/GRIH Akaka Bill economic study
• An interview with Robert Enlow, President of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice
• Hawaii attorney and activist Bill Burgess talks about the status of the legal fight to keep Hawaii free and equal
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LIBERTY EVENTS
Information on the Institute’s upcoming events, research publication dates and speaking engagements is always available and updated via our website. The Grassroot Institute has regular meetings on Oahu, Maui, The Big Island, and Kauai. Please contact our office for more details.
• Smart Business Hawaii Awards Banquet
Friday, May 15,
5:30 pm - 8 pm
Waialae Country Club
Cost for the entire event, including free parking, is $100 per person for SBH members and their guests. Contact Smart Business Hawaii at 396-1724.
• Li Zhao's The Foolish Things Idea Exchange
Date: Sunday May 17, 6 pm - 8 pm
Speakers/Topic: GRIH Chairman of the Board Dr. Jeff Crawford is giving an opening presentation, "Guns, Drugs, and Roses: Rethinking Drug Policy", followed by lively discussion.
Cost: $5 monthly (or $40 annual) membership donation. Heavy pupus.
Location: The Schoolland's, 94-1072 Alelo St., Waipahu, HI
RSVP to 808-676-0825 or Li.Schoolland@gmail.com
• Freedom Fest 2009
July 9-11
Bally's Las Vegas, NV
PH:1-866-266-5101
www.freedomfest.com
Freedom Fest Producer Dr. Mark Skousen is a award-winning economist and author of the bestseller Econopower. He was part of the Grassroot Institute's 2008 Speaker Series.
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LIBERTY NEWS
New Akaka Bill Info
Weekly Video Info Series at HawaiiReporter.com
With the help of Grassroot Senior Fellow Jere Krischel, GRIH has begun a weekly series of informational videos on the Akaka Bill. The series, which was inspired by GRIH Founder Dick Rowland, will also feature information on native Hawaiian history. Jere Krischel is a civil rights activist and writer originally from Hawaii. For more information, please visit his website, "Learning About The Akaka Bill", at http://akakabill.org/
Please take a look at the videos and let us know what you think. Please also visit www.hawaiireporter.com and look for the top video on the right hand side of the webpage.
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Family Brain Gain Seminars
New Monthly Event Celebrates 6 Month Anniversary
The event will be on vacation during May, but stay tuned for more information about a roundtable discussion
and viewing of videos about the Akaka Bill!
"GRIH Youth Program's monthly Family Brain Gain Seminars have been successful in educating youth and adults on many important topics," said Lora Burbage, coordinator for the seminar series. "The films and discussions that follow have been broad and varied. We believe these evenings are helping educate entire families. What great topics for discussion around the dinner table!"
If you have any questions, call Lora at 772-0787 or Dick at 864-1776. Donations to help defer expenses will be gratefully accepted. Mahalo nui loa to Trinity Presbyterian Church and School for their support!
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National Taxpayers Union Visits
Late last month, Josh Culling from the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) visited Oahu and the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. Josh spoke at the monthly Calabash meeting, the Smart Business Hawaii networking breakfast, and a special luncheon for NTU members in Hawaii. In addition, Josh visited with several legislative offices, including the Governor’s office, and co-authored a letter to the Governor with GRIH detailing the detrimental effects of tax hikes during an economic recession. His article on the Hawaii tax hikes was featured in the last issue of Grass in Review. For more information please visit www.ntu.org.
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Recovery for Hawaii?
Report Shows Path to Economic Prosperity
In the midst of economic turmoil, federal bailouts, and budget deficits in more than 40 states, a new report from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) offers a roadmap to recovery based on economic performance trends from states over the last 10 years. The second edition of "Rich States, Poor States" shows how the federal bailout of the states may simply encourage out-of-control spending by states, which is up 124 percent over the last 10 years, without requiring them to make the tough decisions needed to bring about financial stability.
(To read more, click here.)
Do As I Say
New Film Shows How Some Politicians Truly Feel About Free Enterprise
 Hypocrites come in all shapes and sizes. And when it comes to politics, a new movie says that hypocrisy is just part of the game. But the press only tends to cover half the story and for decades, the American people have benefited from the media's meticulous investigation of hypocrisy among conservative leaders. Meanwhile, liberal hypocrisy seems to get a free pass.
But not anymore. In a new film that may forever change how we see America and its leaders, filmmakers Nicholas Tucker and Lucas Abel take us on an unforgettable journey through a political landscape filled with hypocrites and humbugs. Along the way, they reveal a disturbing national truth: that the two-faced mantra “do as I say, not as I do” has become the unwritten golden rule of some of our most prominent liberal leaders.
"Do As I Say" is an eye-opening exposé of the thinly veiled hypocrisy defining some of today's leading liberal figures. Based on Peter Schweizer’s bestselling book, this funny, fast-paced film reveals how icons of the left have fully embraced capitalist ideals while simultaneously discouraging others from doing the same. The results are enough to compel millions to choose between their ideals and their leaders. Because if there is one thing Americans can’t abide, it’s a hypocrite.
"Do As I Say" will be in theaters soon and available on DVD later this year. To view the trailer and for more information, please visit http://www.doasisaymovie.com.
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2nd Annual Sammies
Hundreds Celebrate Freedom and Liberty at Sam Adams Awards
The ideals of our Founding Fathers were celebrated recently as over 300 people attended the 2nd Annual Sammies Awards sponsored by the Sam Adams Alliance. The Sammies recognizes and rewards every day people for their activism in support of individual liberty and economic freedom.
“Citizen Activism is alive and well in our great country,” said Sam Adams Alliance President, John Tsarpalas. “We recognized and rewarded the tireless efforts of every day people who are involved in the political process. The cornerstone of our democracy is an involved citizenry and this evening, with the help of some of our nation’s most prominent defenders of liberty, we honored these fine individuals.”
Joining the Sam Adams Alliance to honor the citizen watchdogs were best-selling author Michelle Malkin, John Fund and Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal, as well as Fox News Channel contributors Jonathan Hoenig and Mary Katharine Ham. Appearances were also made by Joe Wurzelbacher (Joe the Plumber) and Milwaukee talk radio host Vicki McKenna.
The Sam Adams Alliance handed out a total of $40,000 in prize money and Golden Sammies to winners in nine different categories. Bloggers, filmmakers, open records champions and other government watchdogs were honored for discovering voter fraud, fighting tax hikes, exposing corrupt public officials and creating grassroots networks of activists, just to name a few accomplishments. Look for GRIH to strongly compete in next year's awards! For more information and pictures from the event please visit http://www.samadamsalliance.org.
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Grassroot Media Hits
• On May 5th President Story was briefly on the #1 talk radio show in Hawaii, "The Rick Hamada Show", discussing Fiscal Notes and transparency with Senators Hanabusa and Slom.
• Hawaii's independent news source HawaiiReporter.com also republishes articles from the Institute.
• The nationally recognized and popular site Townhall.com has recently picked up and distributed nationally many of the articles you read in Grassroot in Review.
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FAVORITE GRASSROOT BLOGS AND WEBSITES
Join the conversation and express your views! Use these links to access these interactive sites.
• Check out HawaiiVotes for the latest on the Hawaii State Legislature.
http://www.hawaiivotes.org
and the HawaiiVotes Blog at
http://www.hawaiivotes.org/forum/blogs/
• Hawaii Sunshine government transparency website
http://www.hawaiisunshine.org/
• The Mystery of Hawaiian History
http://historymystery.grassrootinstitute.org
• Aloha For All
http://www.aloha4all.org
Read what others have written and add your own thoughts. See you there!
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NEED A GOOD SPEAKER?
From taxation to education and health care to transportation, the Institute’s staff is excited 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 tom@grassrootinstitute.org.
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SUPPORT GOOD PUBLIC POLICY IN HAWAII!
Please help us continue to provide independent research on issues important to Hawaii! The Grassroot Institute operates only through the generous donations of friends and benefactors from around Hawaii and the United States, and even the smallest of donations can be used to accomplish great things for the future of our beloved state.
Will you please consider becoming a supporter today? Donations are tax deductible and it's quick, easy and secure. Click here!
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Grassroot Institute is a proud member of the State Policy Network, Townhall.com,
Americans for Tax Reform,
The Sam Adams Alliance and more.
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