Hawaii Liberty Chronicles

City and State governments are cutting back in these hard economic times.  The bureaucratically minded are in a terrible bind for a new department to start up to stimulate the economy.  Everyone knows by now that nothing stimulates economies like government expansion and increased spending from taxpayer dollars!  The timing for a new Honolulu County department couldn’t be better with the crumbling fantasy of elevated steel on steel rail.

Honolulu desperately needs the DSW or Department of Silly Walks (following England’s Ministry of Silly Walks).  Our visionary Honolulu Mayor could lead the way… We Will Silly Walk!

A heated local debate has brewed for several years in our City and County of Honolulu most loudly in our Windward neighborhoods.

The issue; Bed & Breakfasts.  Small lodging establishments that offer overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually do not offer other meals. Typically, bed and breakfasts are private homes with fewer than 10 bedrooms available for commercial use.

Concerns of property value, public safety, property rights and business revenue have fueled both sides of the fence.

Larry Bartley, a Windward neighborhood board member, will represent opposition to B & Bs.  Jim Henshaw, former state senatorial candidate, will represent the side in favor of B & Bs.

Professor Ken Schoolland will moderate with question and answers to follow.  $5 per guest for drinks and pupus.

Date:	Sunday, January 24, 2010
Time:	6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location:	Schoolland’s home
Street:	94-1072 Alelo St.
City/Town:	Waipahu, HI
	View Google Map Google MapQuest Microsoft Yahoo

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp !
and surely I’ll be mine !
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d i’ the burn,
frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
and gie’s a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Burns’ original Scotts version

O come, O come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lowly exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

At 0900 on Monday December 7^th Chief U.S. District Judge David Ezra will hear a motion for preliminary injunction to lift excessive restrictions on shipping to and from Hawaii that substantially increase the cost of living in Hawaii. The hearing will be held in his courtroom on the fourth floor of the Federal Building.

So few understand the significance of his decision; it is vital that all who do attend show support for lifting restrictions imposed by the Jones Act. Those who understand, please carpool as many as you can in time to arrive and be seated before 0900 a.m.

Note Well: These Jones Act restrictions violate the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments as well as the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Thank you,

Gayle Gardner on behalf of John Carroll Plaintiff Attorney

Related: John Carroll Files Lawsuit Against United States Government

This revolution will be one of decentralization and some form of operational secession. I don’t think states are actually going to break away from the union. I believe that the governors and mayors are not going to bother to get Federal grants, because the money is either not available or won’t buy anything. When we get to that stage, we will be prepared for a new period of liberty. That day is coming. The government has shot his wad, and the Federal Reserve, in shooting whatever wad it has left, is going to debase the currency.

~ Gary North, from “Digits and Revolution”

John Carroll

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Media Contacts:

Barbara Hester – PR Coordinator  (808) 384-5907

Gayle Gardner – Campaign Chairman (808) 595-7127

Alice Paet-Ah Sing - Campaign Director (808) 542-2902

John Carroll – Candidate (808) 526-9111 (808) 545-3800 fax

Gubernatorial Candidate, John Carroll, Former State Senator and Former Chair of the Republican Party of Hawai‘i, announced today that he and Honolulu attorney Christopher Dias have filed a precedent setting law suit.  The suit requests for injunctive relief from the United States Government, relief from the provisions of the Jones Act, which created shipping restrictions that adversely apply to only one State in the Union; the island State of Hawai`i.  Carroll stated that the restrictions are excessively expensive for Hawai`i’s people and are in violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments as well as the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Carroll stated that he had originally intended to instruct his Attorney General to file a class action on behalf of the people of the State of Hawai`i when he took office as Governor.  He now states he sees no reason to delay.  Carroll believes in getting things done.  Carroll explained,  “One of the purposes of enacting the Jones Act was to ensure that the United States of America would be well equipped with a maritime fleet that could compete in a worldwide economy.  Unfortunately, it created unconstitutional restrictions on commerce between the State of Hawai`i and worldwide shippers as well as on interstate commerce.”

Since Hawai`i is separated from the continental United States by 2,300 miles of ocean and, of course, has no highways, railroads or pipelines from the continental United States, Hawai`i is dependent on ocean shipping for at least 90 percent of every commodity used and consumed in the state.

The Impact of the Jones Act on the People of Hawai‘i

The Jones Act requires that for a ship to operate in interstate commerce, (between states), it must be built in America, owned by Americans, 75 percent manned by an American crew, and maintained and flagged in the United States.  The net effect of the enforcement of the Jones Act on the State of Hawai‘i’s population has been wide-ranging.

Examples:  The expense of agricultural production became prohibitive, not only because of the inbound shipping cost of fertilizers, herbicides, and farm implements but also due to the outbound shipping costs for our locally grown fruits, livestock and ornamental plants.  Hawai‘i cattle ranchers are faced with an intolerable situation.  They often have to transport their cattle, from Kawaihae to Vancouver B.C. on a Canadian owned Corral Lines to remain profitable.  The cattle must then be trucked (often for 500 miles)  into the U.S. to be fattened and sold.  To go direct, some are flown on Boeing 747 aircraft.

There has emerged a monopolistic control of shipping in and out of the State of Hawai‘i, eliminating the cost reduction benefits of competition.  As will be shown at trial, the cost of everything from automobiles to paper towels is significantly higher because of the enforcement of the Jones Act provisions.

By comparison, the tiny islands of Singapore and Hong Kong, which do not have similar trade restrictions and with less than 1/20^th the land mass of Hawai’i, enjoy a Gross Domestic Product in excess of two billion (2,000,000,000.00) U.S. dollars per year. That is 40 times greater than Hawai`i’s GDP of fifty million (50,000,000.00) U.S. dollars per year when government spending and tourism are excluded. This is an absurdity for Hawai‘i’s economic viability.

The Fundamental Purposes of the Commerce Clause

The fundamental purposes of the Commerce Clause of the US Constitution are, among others, “…to assure the unrestricted flow of commerce throughout the several states,” 282 NE2d 336,  “…to assure to the commercial enterprises in every state substantial equality to access to a free national market,” 517 P2d 691.  Further, the “…power granted is a positive power to legislate concerning transactions which, reaching across state boundaries, affect the people of more states than one, and to govern affairs which the individual states,with their limited territorial jurisdictions, are not fully capable of governing.” 322 US 533.  Clearly, the Jones Act and its provisions are in direct violation of the spirit of the Commerce Clause.

Aloha Family, Friends and Colleagues:

A mass email was recently distributed to friends, colleagues and contacts of mine. It was a smear on Hawaii gubernatorial candidate John Carroll and more pointedly, me. Whether you’ve received it or not, I’m compelled to make these comments.

1) The individual who sent the smear was fired from the Carroll campaign this past July for a litany of reasons.

2) The individual who sent the smear has been under investigation by the City Prosecutor’s office for nearly a year (The Carroll campaign found out that the investigation was still active shortly after he was fired.). Because of the current investigation I will make no further comment on this matter.

3) The individual who sent the smear has a history promoting manipulated and rhetorically embellished conspiracy theories.

4) I have done nothing illegal.

5) My personal regret is ever having been associated with someone so bizarre and manipulative.

For the past two years I have involved myself neck-deep in local politics. I personally despise the word politics. Nevertheless, what I learned early on is that politics is well-over 50% relationships. The relationships I have sought and desire to keep and demonstrate are based upon earned trust in demonstrating honesty through doing what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it through mutual agreement. I want to thank you for your calls and emails of concern, suggestion and inquiry.

Holo I Mua,

Dan Douglass

By Jeffrey Bingam Mead

It was the first Fourth of July since the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The name ‘Liberty House’ is well known to Hawaii’s old-timers and kama’ainas, a department store whose very name evoked one of America’s most cherished values. Those who opened up their editions of the Honolulu Advertiser on July 4, 1942 would have seen these words on Page 5:

“America: Resting securely upon the inalienable rights of man -upon the age-enduring foundations of Justice, Honor, Liberty, and Order; Cherishing ideals that inspire unselfish devotion to the common welfare of mankind; Fostering a spirit of self-reliant industry that seeks the just rewards of worthy achievement and usefulness; Progressing so swiftly that yesterday’s vision is overtaken by today’s realities; Aroused anew to meet the challenge defined by George Washington –that ‘the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican form of government may be entrusted to the hands of the American people.’”

In the same edition the Wing Sing Wo Company, Ltd., on North Hotel Street in Honolulu contributed both space and patriotic sentiments with these words, with our World War II soldiers in heart and mind:

“Keep the Flag Flying!” the ad declared. “We can, we will, we must.” –President Roosevelt
“Never before in all our glorious history was our flag in such dire peril. Nor was there ever a time when the Stars and Stripes flew so proudly over so many battle front in all the far corners of the world…more than ever, it is a symbol to millions of people in lands that tremble under the tread of the oppressor’s heel that freedom is still worth fighting for…worth dying for…worth paying for. True, all of us cannot take up arms in defense of the freedom for which “Old Glory” stands, but we can all rally around the Flag to help to buy the guns, tanks and planes our fighting men must have to win. We can all buy War Bonds and Stamps to the limit of our powers…one dime out of every dollar invested in War Bonds for freedom, for Victory!”

“Independence Day, 1942!” proclaimed another advertisement. “The spirits of Paul Revere –of Nathan Hale- of Washington and Lincoln- are marching with our farflung forces on this day, backing up the boys who are back of the guns. Their ideals are still our ideals –in the beginning we dedicated this country to a free people –throughout the years we have maintained it so- today, we are again battling to uphold our original conception. And we shall –in the end as in the beginning the United States will ever be a ‘land of the free and the home of the brave!’”

J.W. Howe was once quoted as saying, “Blessed is he who takes comfort in seed time and harvest, setting the warfare of life to the Hymn of the Seasons.” In a time in a young century when life for many seems overtaken by the “warfare of life,” its many stresses and worries Americans can find strength, virtue and even delight in pausing for just a day to celebrate on July 4, 2009 the 233rd birthday of the United States of America. Despite those worries there is much to applaud and consecrate.

Today’s national birthday marks yet again a tradition of commemorating the actualization of a set of concepts and values not confined to any one continent, nationality, race, ethnicity or group anywhere. Our Independence Day marks a milestone in humanity’s progress, providing an opportunity to recall what the Declaration of Independence was intended to do. Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration, referred to this as “an expression of the American mind, and to give that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion.”

Our Declaration of Independence is a story whose supreme power and authority has been told, and retold throughout the centuries. It is a story that provides Americans and freedom-loving peoples everywhere a voyage into our collective past with a vision of a future that is ours to behold. Can we afford to forget the names of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and scores of American revolutionaries who took up arms and resolve to defend freedom, liberty and thus change the course of history? Can we afford to forget such a hallowed mission for a nationality invented by its citizens “with a firm reliance upon the protection of Divine Providence” that culminated in the dream of a modern republic?

Our celebrations this day offers more than just the extravaganzas aroused and cultivated by fireworks along our island shores, bell-ringing from church steeples and at the Arizona Memorial, and cookouts under trees and in backyards among friends and families. The glorious traditions of America are deep in our hearts. Those traditions also bring responsibilities, burdens and duties –and a sacred trust recorded in a history all our own. For those things we pause, give thanks, and celebrate.

The William C. Nye was an American ship berthed in the placid waters of Honolulu’s harbor in early 1845. A lone sailor beheld the ship’s flag of the United States of America and composed a poem I have found particularly heartfelt and inspirational. I share it with you because I hope in the course of those screaming and colorful firework displays and barbeques –and in the course of current worries and cares- that you will pause and quietly ponder the immortal words this unknown sailor penned 164 years ago. Did he have us in mind? I’d like to think so.

I hope it stirs your heart as it does mine. Read it aloud, smile and say ‘God Bless America’:

The flag of our nation waves proudly on high,
Our magnificent streamers are sweeping the sky
And the proud bird of freedom now soaring afar,
Is illuminated by the radiance of liberty’s star.

On the bright azure vault in rich beauty above,
O’er our land it is floating, the land that we love,
O’er that land that our fathers long fought to secure,
Where the real fires of freedom burn brilliant and pure.

As that banner unfurled proudly kisses the skies,
So the nation in grandeur was destined to rise,
Till at length on the summit of glory we rest,
A vast nation of nobles, a world at the west.

By the strong bond of freedom, united we stand,
With our glory unsullied, immortal and grand.
While our name and our banner will ever convey,
To the realms of the earth our omnipotent sway.

But that sway is not despotic, our just laws are those,
Made for freemen’s protection from insolent foes;
Made to shelter the weak from the strong arm of spoil,
And secure to the laborer the fruit of his toil.

We do not wish for conquest, we strive not to gain
By our arms, or our gold, either island or main,
But we ardently hope that our “liberty tree,”
Long shall wave its broad boughs o’er the sons of the free.

From the masts of our barks as they roam o’er the waves,
From the hills that look down on our forefather’s graves,
From the temples of freedom that proudly aspire,
Like our own monarch bird, though far prouder and higher.

Now our stripes and our stars to the breezes are flung,
Though the bowstrings of war by our land are unstrung;
And ourselves, while our grandeur gleams proudly and far,
Rest secure in our homes, ‘neath our own natal star.

May this banner, now kissed by the breezes of heaven,
Float long o’er those shores, (by no despot e’re riven,)
Be the “signa” of freedom, and tyranny’s fall,
While united we stand, till divided we fall.

Jeffrey Bingam Mead is the Founder and President of the History Education Council of Hawaii.

Aloha Hawaii Liberty lovers:

This Saturday is our nation’s 233rd year since declaring independence from the crown’s tyranny. In the middle of your activities, I encourage you to make some time this weekend to read or re-read the Declaration of Independence. Maybe a gem of insight about courage or justice will speak to you as happens whenever I read it.

http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration/document/index.htm

Right now the Hawaii Campaign For Liberty’s legislative focus is putting pressure on Senator’s Inouye and Akaka to co-sponsor S604, the Senate companion to HR1207- Ron Paul’s Audit the Fed resolution that at last count has 245 co-sponsors.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.604:

The best way to keep current, network and receive training is through the official Campaign For Liberty website.

http://www.campaignforliberty.com/usa/HI/

Once you’ve joined the Campaign For Liberty in Hawaii, be sure to CHECK BACK OFTEN, log in and check your messages, and return to the state page (as well as your district and county pages)–the site is a social networking site for liberty lovers, and will be the best way for us to share information with you–but YOU’VE got to sign in so that you can read it.

Please mark your calendars for our next C4L BBQ/Meeting on Sunday, August 2 @ the Moana Pacific. A detailed invitation will be posted soon.

On a final note, the results we want to see in our civil polity are always in conflict with our impatience, but history teaches us hope.

“What is true of the individual will be tomorrow true of the whole nation if individuals will but refuse to lose heart and hope.” -Mohandas Ghandi.

Dan Douglass

By Ken Schoolland

Sam Slom, President of Small Business Hawaii, launched an economics education program twenty years ago that has been changing the world. Begun as a dramatic radio series in Hawaii, The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible: A Free Market Odyssey, has now been published in 58 editions in 43 languages, including serialization in numerous periodicals such as the Keizai Seminar Magazine (Japan), The Boss (Nepal), SEDEM Weekly (Bulgaria), Neo Typos (Greece), and The Hong Kong Economic Journal.

Additional thousands of copies have been downloaded from the internet, either from HawaiiReporter.com or JonathanGullible.com. Next is the International Policy Network (IPN) project for distribution of 100,000 CD’s to less developed countries. Plays based on the book have been written for stage in Kenya, Nigeria, and Slovenia. An animated version of the epilogue, known as “The Philosophy of Liberty,” is now available in 35 languages and has been hugely popular with hundreds of thousands of viewers on the internet.

This project has not only been supported by the SBH Entrepreneurial Education Foundation, but by more than two dozen international public policy institutes and endorsed by such economics luminaries as Milton Friedman, Walter Williams, Mark Skousen, and Fred Foldvary. Along the way it has won several awards for economics education, most notably from the Foundation for Economic Education and the Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge.

And, not once but twice, book distributors in Hawaii informed us that they would not carry the book in the islands.

What are the latest developments?

Arabic

The publishing house Dar Al Ahlia in Jordan, just released Jamal Attayib, the Arabic name for Jonathan Gullible (JG).

This is the culmination of a very long effort, begun with translation sponsorship by Nicholas Dykes in England, publication through Nouh El Harmouzi, Haitham al- Zubbaidi, and Tom Palmer of the Cato Institute.

Sindhi & Urdu

Dr. Khalil Ahmad [below] has announced two new editions of JG, published by the Alternate Solutions Institute in Lahore, Pakistan.

Awaami Falaahi Riasat Ki Kahaani, Becharay Jonathan Ki Zabaani is the Sindhi translation of JG by Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Rahujo, General Secretary of Liberal Forum Pakistan. Sales of the first Urdu edition were so successful that Dr. Ahmad has also published a second edition in Urdu.

Bulgarian

Kalin Manolov reported great news about the second Bulgarian edition of JG.  Says Kalin, “The great news is that Overgas, a private company which provides resources for the construction and operation of gas distribution networks - www.overgas.bg , supported the publication and will give the book as a present to their pupils. They support 14 classes in various Bulgarian schools. Other good news: the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science will buy books for 30 high ranking Bulgarian secondary schools in the towns of Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Bourgas.”

Next Kalin hopes to organize the Liberty English Camps in Bulgaria, on the line of so many more liberty camps springing up throughout Eastern Europe. It is the perfect opportunity to use this kind of book for discussions, debates, and skits. My family will be teaching and lecturing at such events in Lithuania this summer, organized by Virgis Daukas. Others are organized by Glenn Cripe and others in Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, India, and Egypt.

Nigerian Play

Dr Samuel Ayedime Kafewo wrote this from Nigeria, “This is to inform you that the assessments of the MA students of the play ‘A Letter from Jonathan Gullible’ will be staged and assessed by both internal and external Examiners at the Drama Village of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Kaduna-State Nigeria. After this, it will then be open to public for three days for public viewing June 12-14. The recorded assessment will be sent as soon as possible.”

The producer, Thomas Adedayo, and director, Dr. Samuel Ayedime Kafewo, welcome contributions toward the production.

Japanese

Thanks to Hiroshi Yoshida, JG continues to be a serialized comic strip on the website of Japanese for Tax Reform. [Below, left to right, Masaru Uchiyama (Mr.you) JTR President, Maruko Maruyama JTR Cartoonist, Ken, Hiroshi Yoshida IPSA, Jyunichi Miyakawa Editor].

100,000 JG Distribution

Linda Whetstone, Chairman of The International Policy Network (IPN), reports,

“In order to fill the known demand for the CD made apparent by the first edition IPN is about to produce 100,000 of the second edition of this CD which should be available by the end of June 2009. The goal of the CD is to enable many more opinion leaders in less developed countries to have access to the compelling intellectual foundations of the free society.”

Poland

Kris Haladus [below] has long promoted the new book and audio edition of JG in Poland so why not do some hot marketing? For one thing, Kris has developed a whole line of JG T-Shirts from the latest color illustrations in the Polish edition of the book.

By Paul Smith

Did you know that our City spends more on DEBT SERVICE than any other single expense category except for public safety?  Imagine, the City spends almost as much on interest as it spends for all our public safety - fire, police, ambulance, etc!

The Mayor and the City Council cry crocodile tears about being concerned for the taxpayer BUT taxpayers should know them by their actions.  On Wednesday the Council approved and lot of new taxes and fee’s plus the Mayors request for +$1 billion in new bonding (aka DEBT) authority (primarily for the train).  The interest only on $1 billion more debt will make DEBT SERVICE (aka interest payments) in the City budget greater than all public safety expenditures planned for 2010!

Honolulu will be considered a DEBTOR City/County when interest payments exceed any other budget expense category and as such DEBT will drive future decision making.  Our City Council and the Mayor are using our property values as security for all the DEBT that will tie residents down to ever growing debt service that will insure next year taxes must rise again to pay higher interests payments on growing debt.

Do not expect these politicians (i.e.The Mayor and the Council) to cut public employee numbers or wages.  Efficiency, they do not know the word.   No, the City politicians will let wages and debt rise and services deteriorate so that Honolulu will soon be in a tighter spot; interest payments greater than even the cost of public safety.  When uncontrolled interest  payments dominate the City Budget; residents will be crying out for higher taxes.  Believe me, with the current group of spending politicians running this City; we will get tax increases galore!!

Paul Smith is the President of the Hawaii Republican Assembly.

Why does industry and commerce based on importing and exporting in Hong Kong and Singapore flourish while Hawaii spirals downwards?

Why do we pay so much more in Hawaii for everything shipped in when our central location should be a tremendous contribution to boom our economy?

Former State Senator, John Carroll, will address how a key protectionist law has not only restricted economic growth, but has deteriorated local productivity. Q & A to follow. $5 per guest for drinks and pupus.

Date:	Sunday, June 14, 2009
Time:	6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location:	Schoolland’s home
Street:	94-1072 Alelo St.
City/Town:	Waipahu, HI
	View Google Map Google MapQuest Microsoft Yahoo

By Ron Paul

With a faltering economy, and skyrocketing costs, healthcare continues to be a critical issue for all Americans. Unfortunately government encroachment into the doctor/patient relationship is poised to exacerbate our problems with healthcare.

As an OB/GYN with over 30 years of experience in private practice, I understand that one of the foundations of quality healthcare is the patient’s confidence that all information shared with his or her healthcare provider will remain private. And yet, the Federal Government plans to undermine this trust with establishment of mandatory electronic medical records collections and “unique health identifier” numbers assigned to all Americans. Funding for this program was among the numerous provisions jammed into the stimulus bill rushed through Congress earlier this year.

Electronic medical records that are part of the federal system will only receive the protection granted by the federal “medical privacy rule.” This misnamed rule actually protects the ability of government officials and state-favored special interests to view private medical records without patient consent.

Aside from those concerns, the government’s ability to protect medical records is highly questionable. After all, we are all familiar with cases where third parties obtained access to electronic veteran, tax, and other records because of errors made by federal bureaucrats. We should also consider the abuse of IRS records by administrations of both parties. What would happen if unscrupulous politicians gained the power to access their political enemies’ electronic medical records?

For these reasons I have introduced the Protect Patients’ and Physicians’ Privacy Act, HR 2630, which allows patients and physicians to opt out of any federally mandated, created, or funded electronic medical records system. The bill also repeals sections of federal law establishing a “unique health identifier” and requires patient consent before any electronic medical records can be released to a 3rd party.

I have also introduced the Coercion is Not Health Care Act, HR 2629. This legislation forbids the federal government from forcing any American to purchase health insurance, or conditioning participation in any federal program on the purchase of health insurance. Forcing Americans to purchase government-approved health insurance is a back door approach to creating a government-controlled healthcare system. Congress would define what policies and coverage requirements satisfy their mandate. Does anyone then doubt that what conditions and treatments are covered would be determined by who has the most effective lobby? Or that Congress would be capable of writing a mandatory insurance policy that fits the unique needs of every individual in the United States?

With these conditions in place, I foresee the eventual imposition of price controls and limitations on what procedures and treatments that are covered. This will result in an increasing number of providers turning to “cash only” practices, making it difficult for those relying on the government-mandated insurance to find healthcare — the exact opposite of the desired result! Consider the increasing number of physicians who are already withdrawing from the Medicare program because of the low reimbursement and constant bureaucratic harassment from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Congress should put the American people back in charge of healthcare by expanding healthcare tax credits and deductions, increasing access to Health Savings Accounts, respecting privacy and the doctor/patient relationship. Further politicizing and bureaucratizing of healthcare will only increase costs and reduce quality, as demonstrated by most other countries with socialized medicine.

By Russell McGuire

In the coming weeks, Congress will vote on a bill that will increase transparency of Government in the most crucial of areas, money creation.  H.R. 1207, the Audit the Fed Bill, will require the Federal Reserve Bank to disclose where it distributes newly created money.

Money creation by the Federal Reserve increases the prices we pay for goods by inflation. The more money created, the higher prices will go. The money supply has roughly doubled since we first embarked on bailing out different industries to avert a deeper recession.

This bailout will hurt the poor and middle class most as they see prices they pay for gas, food, and clothing rise until they are nearly double what they were last year. This will not happen right away, but Economics tells us when the money supply doubles, prices will double.

Unfortunately for Hawaii, only Neil Abercrombie has signed up to be a co-sponsor of H.R. 1207, please contact Mazie Hirono and ask her to support H.R. 1207. If Mazie Hirono can’t protect Hawaiians, perhaps we should replace her with someone that will.

Russell McGuire graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Bachelor’s in Economics and is the current contact for the Hawaii Republican Liberty Caucus. Be sure to send your H.R. 1207 op-eds to the the Honolulu Adverstiser, Honolulu Star Bulletin, MidWeek, Hawaii Tribune Herald, Honolulu Weekly and  Hawaii Reporter.

By Jon Yamasato

This month’s Oahu Real Estate Report covers sales and median price numbers for April 2009, and also features how interest rates affect your buying power.

Over the past three-month rolling period, February to April 2009, sales numbers were down compared to the same period in 2008. Oahu median prices have also declined compared to the same rolling 3-month period last year. Median prices for single-family homes dropped 7.1% to $585,000 and Condominiums have dropped 6.2% to $305,000. Prudential’s Oahu Real Estate Report looks at both monthly numbers as well as a rolling 3-month period as it provides better indicators of certain trends that are happening in the market.

Median price performance varies based on the different areas and neighborhoods across Oahu. For Condominiums, there are a few areas that continue an upward momentum in price. These areas include Downtown-Nuuanu, Ewa, Kaneohe, and Salt lake.  In addition to the 30 areas highlighted on the report, Prudential Locations tracks real estate data for over 200 unique neighborhoods across Oahu, many of which have their own unique trends. We encourage you to research neighborhoods that you are interested in.

Kauai’s, “Ron Paul Hawaii Walker” and  “Ron Paul Rider” turned “Liberty Rider”, Michael Maresco on Fox’s Freedom Watch with Judge Andrew Napolitano.

Related:

http://www.hawaiilibertychronicles.com/?p=630

.

Date: Sunday May 17, 2009
Time: 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

By Kenli and Ken Schoolland

The Polish American Foundation for Economic Research and Education (PAFERE) hosted us for presentations at 17 schools, universities, and public events in 5 cities around Poland over Spring Break. Interviews were provided to radio, television, and newspaper journalists and meetings were held with The Łódź Political Club, The Nowogrodzka 44 Discussion Club, and the PAFERE Conference on “Ethical Sources of the Present Crisis: What Will Be the Future of Capitalism?”

PHOTO 1- Virgis, Kenli & Ken

Audiences were most interested in hearing about causes and cures for the global monetary crisis. They have a healthy skepticism of the panicked clamor to give trillion dollar bailouts to cronies in the financial sector. In fact, many Poles felt that the “recession” was being over-hyped. How else could American politicians get away with bailout pledges that amounted to more than double the total expense of World War II?

Students, well-versed in the politics of corruption in Eastern Europe, were bitterly amused to learn of the revolving door in Washington D.C. where personnel and payoffs so deftly coursed through the halls of government and allied corporate boardrooms. PAFERE was founded in a staunchly Catholic Poland to combat immoral political behavior that blatantly violates the Seventh Commandment: “Thou shalt not steal.”

Ken did much of the talking and Kenli did most of the thinking. She provided the technical support for power point presentations and coached timing and relevance. Virgis Daukas, Kenli’s “uncle” and founder of the Lithuanian Free Market Institute, provided counsel, transportation, and laughs. [See photo 1 L-R: Virgis, Kenli, Ken]

Other topics included Free Market Ethics, Trade and Labor Protectionism, and the new, third Polish edition of The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible: A Free Market Odyssey. People came from all over the country seeking autographs for copies published nine years ago in Lublin and Kraków. Ironically, this educational tool of Small Business Hawaii has made a greater impact in Poland than in Hawaii.

The perennial question on the tour was, “When will the recession end?” We answered with a straight face, “August 23 at 8:47 AM.” But this is not a joking matter for Poles. After all, they experienced the worst of inhuman horrors for half a century, when their neighbors east and west sacrificed personal liberties to political tyrants who promised to rescue them from the 1930’s Depression.

Kenli returned to her studies at the University of Buckingham in the British isles where she is a leader in the Economist Club. Ken returned to the islands where he learned that Jonathan Gullible has been renamed Jamal Attaib for the new Arabic edition in Jordan. This is the 43rd language edition. [Photo: Book cover of Jamal Attaib.]

H.C.R. 100 Does Not Honor Extreme Terrorists

By Rep. Kym Pine

Republican State Rep. Kymberly Pine says State Senator Sam Slom’s statements on Islam Day are insensitive and wrong.  Rep. Pine said, “Slom equated the Legislature’s passage of H.C.R. 100, entitled “House Resolution Proclaiming September 24, 2009, As Islam Day.” to the honoring of extreme terrorists.  Slom’s statements marginalize significant and peaceful Hawaii citizens.  Our Hawaii and U.S. Constitutions recognize liberties and rights not favoring one personal faith over another.  Recognition through a House Resolution of one faith group’s contribution to our multi-faith Hawaii has been common practice.  Groups have been recognized through House Resolutions including the fourth Saturday of July as an annual Kupuna Recognition Day, April 6 as Tartan (Scottish heritage) Day and Sept. 28, 2007 as Confucius Day in Hawaii.  As leaders we must be very clear that not all Muslims are terrorists.  Terrorists have very different backgrounds and beliefs than Hawaii Muslims.”

On February 8, 2009 Rubellite Kawena Kinney Johnson addressed Hawaiian Sovereignty and the implications of the Akaka Bill.

Ruby Johnson is a native Hawaiian scholar who established the Hawaiian Studies program at the University of Hawaii. She was named a “Living Treasure of Hawaii” for her work in translating early Hawaiian-language documents.

What is a political party? Are there any differences between political parties?  What purposes do political parties serve?  Is a two party system all we have?  This month’s Li Zhao’s Intellectual Salon, Idea Exchange topic is “Party Schisms”.

Ken Schoolland will moderate this forum with Q&A to follow with Arvid Youngquist a Hawaii Democrat, Dan Douglass a Hawaii Republican and Larry Bartley a Hawaii Libertarian.

Please bring a friend and your favorite drink.

Pupus will be served. $5 donation per person.

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

Note the root of the problem at 1:25.

Powerful, free website empowers citizens to track activity of state legislature and individual lawmakers

March 24, 2009 — Citizens now have a powerful, online tool to track the actions of Hawaii’s state legislature and individual legislators. HawaiiVotes.org is a free website that provides concise, non-partisan, plain-English descriptions of every bill, amendment and vote in the Hawaii House and Senate. These are all sortable by legislator, issue category, keyword and more, allowing a citizen to quickly create a custom “voting record guide” for any legislator on any issue.

How did a state representative or senator vote on an issue or bill that you care about? What bills and amendments did each legislator sponsor? What legislation actually became law this year – and what did not? What would all these bills actually do (vs. what their sponsors intend)? Which legislators have missed the most votes, and how many did yours miss? The answers to all those questions and more are at citizens’ fingertips 24 hours a day on HawaiiVotes.org.

HawaiiVotes.org is a free public service from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH), a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and educational institution. The purpose of the new site is to inform citizens, media and public officials about legislation that affects their families, schools, jobs and communities.

Grassroot Institute President Jamie Story says it’s a great tool for anyone who is either frustrated with the performance of elected officials or is just plain curious about the process. “The new website empowers citizens to actually participate in the democratic process,” she said. “HawaiiVotes.org will shed great light on our state legislature and government.”

The site also provides other features, including a comments section/forum where citizens can share their views about particular bills or other state public policy issues. A blog aggregator displays the most recent post of the state’s leading political blogs both left and right, and “LegislatorPedia” and “JudgePedia” shed additional sunlight on the Aloha state’s elected officials and judiciary.

“State government is involved in so many areas of our lives and economy; HawaiiVotes.org has never been needed more,” said GRIH Communications Director Tom McAuliffe. “It’s free, easy to use, fast and informative. Think of it as a giant spyglass on the Hawaii State Legislature!”

For more information please visit www.Hawaiivotes.org and www.grassrootinstitute.org

“Mom, there’s nothing good on TV!” “How come we never go out?” “Why can’t we ever find a good movie to go see?” If your family has been saying things like this, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has the answer with its new Family Brain Gain Seminars. Each month we show a liberty and free market-related video and then discuss it over refreshments.

Last month the videos of ABC News correspondent John Stossel were well received, as were special guests HPU Professor Ken Schoolland and his wife Li Zhao, who shared her incredible experience of living under Communist rule and during the Cultural Revolution in China. Mahalo nui loa to Ken and Li!

Please join us this month for The Singing Revolution, an award winning documentary film that tells the extraordinary story of the non-violent path Estonia took to free itself from Soviet occupation. A very moving film you won’t want to miss!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

6:45 — 8:45 PM (Please note the early start time!)

Trinity Presbyterian Church and School

875 Auloa Rd Kailua, Hawaii 96734

Dick Rowland, GRIH Founder and Youth Program Director, will be the moderator. You are welcome to invite friends and family. Please RSVP as soon as possible since space is limited. For reservations please email Lora Burbage at LLburbage@yahoo.com. If you have any questions you can also 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! For more information please visit: www.grassrootinstitute.org

With recent international rumblings in Russia and neighboring nations, Shota Mkheidze from the Republic of Georgia will address “The New Cold War” followed by an open question and answer session.

“Shota is from the Republic of Georgia and is an excellent and very knowledgeable speaker. I’ve heard him speak a couple times before and I know you won’t be disappointed,” says Ken Schoolland.

Please bring a friend and your favorite drink.

Pupus will be served. $5 donation per person.

By Russell Pang

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today submitted to the State Legislature the Administration’s plan to meet a projected $650 million revenue shortfall for the remainder of the current fiscal year (FY09) and biennium budget fiscal years 2010 through 2011.

The Administration’s plan balances the budget without raising taxes, without any layoffs or furloughs of state employees, and without making significant cuts to essential public services or programs.  It combines the use of federal stimulus funds, tobacco funds, interest from and charges to various special funds, adjustments to selected benefits for state employees, and further tightening Act 221 tax credits.

“While we are working to take maximum advantage of the federal funds available through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, the additional federal funds alone will not be sufficient to close the projected revenue shortfall,” said Governor Lingle.

“In developing this balanced budget plan, our top priorities were to ensure we do not take any more taxpayer money out of the economy to support government, that we not add to the state’s unemployment by laying off employees, that we preserve essential public services, and that we continue to invest available resources in projects that will create jobs in the near term and achieve our long-term priorities such as energy independence.  This budget accomplishes those goals,” the Governor added.

In December, Governor Lingle submitted her Administration’s FY10-FY11 biennium budget which included a detailed plan to make up for a $1.1 billion revenue shortfall projected by the Council on Revenues.  On January 9, 2009, the Council lowered its revenue projections further by an additional $650 million for FY09, FY10 and FY11.

The Governor subsequently submitted an $81 million plan to close the FY09 shortfall through a combination of transferring funds from various special funds, including the rainy day fund, implementing additional restrictions on discretionary spending and utilizing additional federal reimbursements for Medicaid.

“Over the past year, we have made difficult but necessary decisions to reduce spending to ensure the state lives within its means,” the Governor said.  “At the same time, unprecedented national and global fiscal and economic challenges continue to impact our local economy and these realities mandate that we cannot continue to operate in a business-as-usual manner.

“We also must resist the impulse to raise taxes and fees because Hawai‘i’s families and small businesses are facing unprecedented challenges. We must ensure they keep as much of their money as possible.”

The Governor pointed out that additional budget adjustments will likely be needed when the Council on Revenues meets again on March 12, because it is anticipated that the Council will revise its revenue forecasts downward.

In addition to the plan to close the FY09 shortfall, the Administration is proposing the following nine action items to provide the state with additional general fund revenues needed to close the revenue shortfall:

• Utilize federal stimulus Medicaid funds. Nearly half of the shortfall will be covered by an estimated $320 million in Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funds. The matching federal funds for treating Medicaid patients are part of the $15 billion in Medicaid assistance being made available to the states under the recently passed federal stimulus plan. Hawai‘i is scheduled to receive $106.7 million for FY09, $142.2. million in FY10 and $71.1 million in FY11.  As of last week, states were allowed to start accessing FMAP funds (Impact: $320 million, FY09-FY11.)
• Redistribute a portion of the Tobacco Settlement Funds. The Administration supports a bill (HB1731) currently before the Legislature to reallocate the distribution of the Tobacco Settlement Special Fund, including depositing 14 percent into the state’s general fund.  This action would add $7 million per year to the state’s revenues.  (Impact: $14 million, FY10-FY11.)
• Transfer tobacco tax revenues to the general fund. The Administration supports a bill (HB1732) currently before the Legislature which would allow the use of tobacco tax revenues. The redistribution of the tobacco tax is expected to add $33 million to the state’s general fund in the upcoming biennium. (Impact: $33 million, FY10-FY11.)
• Advance the general excise tax filing date. The Administration supports a bill (HB1735) currently before the Legislature to change the filing date for the general excise monthly tax return from the last day of the calendar month following the month in which taxes accrue to the 20th day of that month.  The earlier collection of taxes within the fiscal year will generate a one-time revenue gain of $40 million in FY11.  (Impact:  $40 million, FY11.)
• Remove the exemption for certain special funds from assessments. The Administration proposes removing a provision that currently exempts certain special funds from paying their fair share of assessments to support central services and departmental administrative expenses.  A bill (HB1740) currently before the Legislature would remove the exemption for all but a handful of special funds, including the Hawai‘i Hurricane Relief Fund, Convention Center Enterprise Special Fund and Tourism Special Fund.  The Administration supports this measure, but proposes also allowing the following special funds to retain the exemption from assessments:  State Educational Facilities Improvement Special Fund, Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation Special Fund and University of Hawai‘i Special Fund.  This action would result in an additional $9.8 million annually. (Impact: $19.6 million, FY10-FY11.)
• Transfer interest earned on certain special funds to the general fund. The Administration supports a measure (HB1733) before the Legislature to allow the transfer of interest earned on investments of special funds, revolving funds and special accounts into the general fund.  This action would not impact the amount in these funds that are generated through user fees or charges.  The use of the interest earnings would result in an estimated $38.2 million in general fund revenues. (Impact: $38.2 million, FY10-FY11.)
• Discontinue employer-funded group life insurance. The Administration supports a bill (HB1726) currently before the Legislature to prevent the Hawai‘i Employer-Union Health Benefit Trust Fund (EUTF) from providing group life insurance benefits if the premiums are paid for by the state or a county.  Currently, the employer (the state or a county) pays the entire premium for the life insurance benefit.  Premiums are more expensive than paying death benefits directly to survivors.  Discontinuing this practice would save the state $4.1 million in FY10 and $4.3 million in FY11.  (Impact: $8.4 million, FY10-FY11.)
• Seek adjustments to the EUTF health benefits plan. The Administration will seek adjustments to the current Employer-Union Health Benefit Trust Fund health plan through collective bargaining negotiations. If the current health benefits plan is sustained, with the state covering 60 percent of the cost, the premiums will increase by an estimated 29.4 percent.  This proposal would not affect retirees and their dependent beneficiaries. This effort would provide a cost savings of approximately $48 million per year.  (Impact: $96 million, FY10-FY11.)
• Further tighten Act 221 to reduce tax credits to investors in technology businesses. Rather than allowing investors to get back a full dollar for each dollar they invest, investors will receive 50 cents for each dollar invested, sharing their risk with state taxpayers.  This effort will save an estimated $43.9 in the biennium. (Impact: $43.9 million, FY10-FY11.)

In addition to closing the revenue shortfall over the next two years, the Administration is also focused on ensuring long-term fiscal stability for the state.  The Administration supports a bill (HB1715) currently before the Legislature to increase by five years the minimum retirement age and minimum length of service before a state employee can receive full service retirement benefits.  The measure would only apply to employees who enter public service on or after July 1, 2009.  The annual savings for this proposal starting in FY2013 is approximately $39 million.

The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government — lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.

~ Patrick Henry

The U.S. Supreme Court released the full transcript from this morning’s hearing.

http://www.inversecondemnation.com/files/07-1372.pdf