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Fallout from the Forbes Magazine article (June 16) continues with the same predictable denial from Hawaii's political and labor leaders. It took Hawaii a week longer to have copies of the article than any other place. Governor Ben Cayetano, House Speaker Joe Souki, Senate President Norman Mizuguchi, and labor leaders Russel Okada and Gary Rodrigues blasted the article as being, "biased, pro-Republican, ultra conservative," etc. Cayetano complained the magazine didn't interview himwasn't he on one of his many trips to China, the Phillipines, a golf course, or somewhere elseand that it didn't fairly recognize his accomplishments since '94. Accomplishments? Record high bankruptcy, foreclosure and job loss rates? Record lows in income, capital infusion and business climate? None of the critics were able to refute the facts outlined in the article written by LA editor Seth Lubove, or the conclusion that our problems are self-created and maintained. Interesting that the DJA is breaking records daily, and the cities that now house most escaping Hawaii residents Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Denverall are booming and all have cut taxes, downsized government and privatized. Former Bankoh economist David Ramsour and Outrigger Hotel CEO Dr. Richard Kelly, concurred with the article on "The Peoples' Republic of Hawaii." In order for Forbes to be wrong, we must also say Barron's, Fortune, Financial World, The Wall Street Journal, Investor's Business Daily, and Money are wrong also. The State Department of Land and Natural resources announced it would like a new fee (tax) at $2 per person walking on the Hilton Hawaiian Village pier. They estimate $403,000 per year in new revenues. Is there anything we haven't taxed yet? Meanwhile, during the past month, Sprint laid off 300 employees, Hawaiian Cement 150, and Crazy Shirts' announcement that it will move its manufacturing to California will result in the loss of 144 jobs next year. Money dropped Honolulu in its annual ranking of most desirable and livable cities from 86th place in '96 to 166th place in '97. Tax burden and standard of living are major contributors to the rankings. Good news for attorneys: a Seattle man sued the Dairy Farmers of Washington, alleging he has become addicted to milk which he says, contributed to his clogged arteries and a minor stroke. Norman Mayo said, "I think milk is just as dangerous as tobacco." When will Hawaii have its first Spam Musubi suit? In Cincinnati, Sandra Hacker (is that her REAL name?) is addicted to the Internet. Her compulsion with the Net cost her a marriage and the state taking her three children who were "endangered" because the mom locked them in a room and neglected them for days as she surfed the net. Sounds like Congress and the Hawaii Legislature should ban the netor extend entitlement benefits to the addictedbefore this national disgrace goes any further. City Physician Dr. John Hall has a lot of guts. He has gone public telling how Mayor Jeremy Harris' City Administration has bent over backwards to please UPW domo Rodrigues and public employee union support for next year's electionon the issue of repeat drug-using public employees (who endanger themselves, coworkers and the public). For his honesty, Hall has received threats from Rodrigues, and a kangaroo panel of City pols led by Bob Fishman denouncing the doctor. Methinks they doth protest too much. What's up, Doc? Plenty! Hall should be praised, not vilified, for alerting the public to this hazzard. Harris, as predicted here, is refloating the "mass transit" trial balloon. The unions want it; taxpayers couldn't bear it. And Senator Dan Inouye, creatively diverted $4 million in "mass transit" funds to the construction of the private employee parking garage at Kuakini Medical Center. As reported by the Star-Bulletin's Ian Lind, Inouye's Honolulu office manager is a Director and fundraiser for Kuakini. By the way, my prediction (not worth more than this paper and print) is that Rodrigues will convince Harris NOT to run next year. That way Gary can control both the City and the State. Too bad Linda Lingle will spoil his plans. House Speaker Joe Souki held a $50 per person fundraiserthe standard is $25 - but big spending Democrats want to up the ante. Not to be outdone, Mazie Hirono ("who?") ("you know, the first lady, the Lt. Governor") ("oh yeah, now I remember... I thought that was Vicki Cayetano") on June 25, held a $100 fundraiser. This is the way Democrats convince you the economy is getting better. July 4 is America's 221st birthday and we should celebrate and cherish our freedom. I know it is more popular to tear down America these days and complain about all the mistakes - real and imagined - ever made, but the fact of the matter remains we are the most free, most fair and most opportunistic nation on the face of the earth. We can and should do better. Our freedom philosophy - when practiced - has demonstrated the best in racial, economic and political equality. Only when government forces people to do what is repugnant to individual liberty do we cause strife and economic crisis. If only our self-centered politicians and special interests would understand this. If they don't, our heritage is to replace them with those who do and revere freedom for all individuals. That's the lesson of July 4th.
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Editor: Sam Slom
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