1873 All Over Again?
By Brandon Bosworth
There's no denying the economic situation looks bad. Venerable institutions such as Bear Stearns have gone the way of most '90s dotcoms, vanishing practically overnight. Stocks are competing in a horrific limbo contest to see how low, low, low they can go. Here in Hawaii, hotel occupancy is down, malls are less crowded, and tourist spots like the Arizona Memorial are seeing fewer visitors.
Bad situations lead to people making bad decisions. For example, selling all your equities at this point is rather like buying a smoke alarm after your house burns down. I know of one fellow who was considering withdrawing all his cash from the bank, fearing the FDIC might not be able to safeguard his savings. Does he have a point? Sure, there's no absolute guarantee the FDIC can protect his money. Of course, if the FDIC and entire banking system collapsed, cash would be worthless and our biggest worries would be roving bands of brigands since civilization would no longer exist and we'd all be in some sort of Cormac McCarthy-The Road post-apocalypse scenario.
We're a bit of a ways from all that. In fact, we've gone through this type of thing before.
(To read more, click here.)
GRASSROOT PERSPECTIVE
What Can Bring Increased Accountability to Hawaii Government?
The ConCon Can
By Pearl Hahn
The 1978 Constitutional Convention illustrated the impact 102 Hawaii citizens could have in shaping the state. Most of the delegates to the convention were everyday people of different backgrounds and political affiliations, coming together not in pursuit of selfish interests but with a common commitment to exercise their right to be heard. It was the start of political careers for some, such as future governor John Waihee and future Honolulu mayor Jeremy Harris, and a high note in the long volunteer service career of then civil servant Bill Paty and public interest attorney William Burgess. Thirty years later, we are presented with the same opportunity in a time of new predicaments and concerns.
A Con-Con can serve as a vehicle to transfer power from the state bureaucracy back to the people....
(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.
GRASSROOT TV
Grassroot TV at YouTube.com features videos relating to public issues in Hawaii and beyond, as well as statements from the Institute on various concerns facing our communities. GTV has videos, viewer comments and more. We have some NEW videos up at Grassroot TV!
In fact, it’s a new series. Our "About..." series features Grassroot Institute President Jamie Story discussing the principles of liberty and various issues of the day. Our first program is "About... School Choice" and our newest offering is "About... Transparency". Both run under 10 minutes and are well worth a look. There are also some new videos of our October 17th featured speaker, Americans for Tax Reform's president Grover Norquist. Grassroot TV viewers can also discuss the videos using the comments section.
We've also loaded up the library at the online TV station with more new videos from The Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, Americans for Tax Reform and more.
Please visit 'Grassroot TV' at http://www.youtube.com/user/GrassrootHawaii.
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GRASSROOT INSTITUTE PODCASTS
GIR readers and visitors to the GRIH website are able to enjoy 'Grassroot Insight', a periodic audio podcast hosted by the Institute’s Director of Communications, Tom McAuliffe. The audio interviews with VIP's, community leaders and special guests at GRIH's monthly meetings are available for download to your iPod or for listening via the Internet.
This issue's 'Grassroot Insight' audio podcast features Jennifer Butler, Vice President of the State Policy Network. Responsible for SPN planning and operations, Butler was interviewed at the recent SPN annual conference in Scottsdale, Arizona regarding the organization and its rapid growth.
Additionally we feature an interview with author and community education reform activist Laura Brown discussing what the Hawaii Department of Education can do to improve the cost effectiveness and quality of schools in our state.
And as an added bonus this issue, we have an interview with GRIH President Jamie Story which was broadcast
on KHVH 830 AM on the #1 morning radio talk show in Hawaii, “The Rick Hamada Show.”
Click here to listen to the interview with SPN Vice President Jennifer Butler.
Click here to listen to the interview with Hawaii author/ activist Laura Brown.
Please check out our other recent podcasts with:
• Author and professor Ken Schoolland of Hawaii Pacific University
• Americans for Tax Reform President and author Grover Norquist
• 2008 Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr
• Hawaii attorney and activist Bill Burgess
• Hawaii State Senator Sam Slom
We have more great audio interviews coming your way so we hope you'll give 'Grassroot Insight' a listen! If you have any ideas for the show please let us know at tom@grassrootinstitute.org.
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GRASSROOT EVENTS
Information on the Institute’s upcoming events, research publication dates and speaking engagements are 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.
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LIBERTY NEWS
New Policy Intern
European HPU Grad Takes on Public Policy Issues
 The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii announced that Kristian Somi has joined the organization as a Policy Intern. Somi is a graduate of Hawaii Pacific University on Oahu, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He is originally from Slovenia (formerly part of Yugoslavia).
"We're incredibly happy to have him join us," said Grassroot President Jamie Story. "Kristian brings enthusiasm and a fresh world perspective that will help the Institute analyze government operations and issues in new ways. He'll work on a variety of projects including our transportation and government transparency initiatives."
Somi is already hard at work, having produced his first policy paper on TheBoat and written an article for the “Grassroot In Review” newsletter. "I'm proud to have been selected and I hope my skills will be beneficial," Somi said.
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New Liberty Website
A new website has been launched by GRIH member Dan Douglass. Hawaii Liberty Chronicles is dedicated to honest and open journalism with features such as audio and video presentation, a blog and discussion area as well as a store with books, DVDs and more for sale.
(To read more, click here.)
Grassroot Media Hits
Grassroot Institute Policy Analyst Pearl Hahn had a letter to the editor in the Honolulu Star Bulletin recently. On Oct. 3rd, Hahn's "Regulation Created Nation's Financial Mess" letter examined how risky lending practices and not the failure of free markets led to the current financial situation.
Grassroot Institute President Jamie Story was on the #1 radio talk show in Hawaii on Oct. 9th. Speaking with show host Rick Hamada on 830 AM, Story gave a brief update on GRIH activities and promoted the Oct. 17th Luncheon with ATR President Grover Norquist. An MP3 of the interview is available on the "Grassroot Insight" audio podcast page.
Policy Analyst Pearl Hahn was featured in the Pacesetters section of Pacific Business News in the Oct. 3rd edition. The section keeps tabs on promotions, new hires and retirements.
The Honolulu Weekly, one of Hawaii's most left-leaning publications, featured a reader letter in response to the recent backpage feature Q&A with GRIH President Jamie Story. Here's the original Honolulu Weekly Q&A interview: "A Likely Story".
The nationally recognized and popular site http://www.townhall.com has recently picked up for national distribution many of the articles you read in Grassroot in Review.
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The 2009 Sammies
The Sam Adams Alliance has announced the second annual 'Sammies'. The Sammies is a contest recognizing bloggers, filmmakers, open records champions, and other government watchdogs committed to advancing individual and economic liberty. $40,000 in prizes - divided among nine different categories - are awarded to exceptional activists who live by American founding father Adams' notion that, "all might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought." With individual prizes ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, the Sammies seek to inspire more people to stand up for good government practices in their communities.
(To read more, click here.)
GRIH Internship Program
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is currently seeking candidates for the Institute’s internship program. The program provides undergraduate and graduate level students the ability to gain work experience at Hawaii’s only free-market think tank. Interns will work directly with Institute staff, including the President, Director of Communications, and Director of Operations.
If you know of anyone who might be interested please have them send a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to:
Wendy Fujimoto,
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, wendy@grassrootinstitute.org,
or call (808) 591-9193.
(To read more, click here.)
TRY THE GRASSROOT BLOGS
Join the conversation and express your views! Use these links to access our member blogs.
Dash of Calabash
http://dashofcalabash.grassrootinstitute.org/
The Mystery of Hawaiian History
http://historymystery.grassrootinstitute.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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