OK, it's broke. How do we fix it? The Hawaii economy, I mean. Start with big government: Streamlining
Hawaii’s governmentNo. 1 -- Assure present government employees they won't be fired or lose their benefits.
No. 2 -- Then OK privatization of any and all government functions that lend themselves to it. Let these operations pay taxes to the government in the future instead of being tax-funded.
No. 3 -- With few exceptions, don't replace government employees as they retire, die or leave their jobs for any reason. This will reduce payroll by at least 2 percent a year. Offer more limited fringe benefits to new hires.
No. 4 -- Pass a law that removes management functions from collective bargaining. De-unionize school principals.
No. 5 -- Give wide power to department heads to run their departments to meet objectives set by the governor. In some cases give them the right to set fees. Allow much greater freedom in transferring and retraining employees to meet objectives.
No. 6 -- Department by department, require standardized annual public reporting of budgets and outputs.
No. 7 -- Settle employee grievances promptly. End long "due process" delays.
No. 8 -- Earnestly protect the environment and good community design. A beautiful future Hawaii is crucial to our well-being and to our attractiveness to visitors, our No. 1 industry. But do this with approval and review procedures that don't drag out for years.
No. 9 -- Realize that investors are scared off by uncertainty and the threat of long, expensive litigation. Re-establish more certainty as to what is permitted and what is forbidden in land development.
No. 10 --Pursue the present shift to making welfare recipients aware that caring taxpayers are paying them benefits. Drop the word "entitlements." Stress that reciprocity is expected where appropriate, as in job-seeking and family responsibility. Keep the economic security net tight and safe for those who can't help themselves and for those who are trying but haven't succeeded. As to freeloaders, pull it away. Keep our health and workers' compensation coverages broad and full but weed out freeloaders.
No. 11 -- Keep and make government consumer-friendly and aloha spirited.
No. 12 -- Reduce taxes substantially.
ALL of the above are attainable and politically possible if we get strong leaders front and center to advocate them.
The power of government union leaders, the big deterrent to today's timid politicians, will be shown to be greatly exaggerated.
Government employees will recognize most of the above changes are in their own long-term best interest and support them. True statesmen among labor leaders will do the same. These leaders will work to protect both their members and community well-being.
A rising tide raises all boats. We can raise our economy in a way that everyone will benefit. Our people are rich in talent. If we take the bureaucratic shackles off them we will get marvelous results.