Dick Rowland Image ‘Shoots (News, Views and Quotes)’ – Natural Resources and Environment The DDT Ban Turns 30 By Todd Seavey Thirty years ago, on June 14, 1972, the Environmental Protection Agency’s first administrator, William Ruckelshaus, rebuffed the advice of his scientific advisors and announced a ban on virtually all domestic uses of the pesticide DDT. This was done despite the fact that DDT had earlier been hailed as a “miracle” chemical that repelled and killed mosquitoes that carry malaria, a disease that can be fatal to humans. Now, thirty years later, it is vividly apparent that DDT was not hazardous to human health and that the banning of its domestic use led its diminished production in the United States — and less availability of DDT for the developing world. American Council on Science and Health, 1995 Broadway, Second Floor, New York, NY 10023, 212/362-7044, fax 212/362-4919 https://www.acsh.org/publications/reports/ddt2002.html – The Sorry Plight of Canada’s Socialized Health-Care System In Canada, health care is a state monopoly — socialized medicine called “universal care” — that has developed a deservedly bad reputation, observers say. A new study from the Vancouver-based Fraser Institute documents the system’s failure: *1. Despite spending more money per capita than any other country with a similar system, Canadian health care ranks on a par with that of Turkey, Hungary and Poland. *2. Canada ranks 18th in access to MRIs, 17th in access to CT scanners, eighth in access to radiation machines and 13th in access to lithotripters, which are used for treating kidney stones. *3. Canadians do somewhat better in terms of health-treatment outcomes — but that is due in part to their option to come to the U.S. for services that would be unavailable or dangerously delayed at home. *4. All of the countries that beat Canada in outcomes have parallel systems of private health insurance and care delivery operating alongside the government system. In another survey, 6 in 10 Canadians told the Canadian Medical Association they expect the quality of care to worsen over the next five years. Canada is often held up as a model of universal health care the U.S. should emulate by lobbies such as Families USA and politicians who seem set on socializing health care. For example, the Senate refused to add a drug benefit to Medicare because Democrats insisted it be provided through the Health Care Financing Administration — which some observers call the worst bureaucracy in the world. At the same time, liberals oppose reforms that would aid those without insurance, such as relief from costly insurance mandates, or equalizing the tax treatment of employer-provided and patient-purchased policies. See www.ncpa.org Daily Digest 9/3/02 ‘Roots (Food for Thought)’ – Affordable Health Care Oregon Health Choice Program kicks off with SimpleCare Cascade launched the Oregon Health Choice Program in January. This three-year educational initiative will advance ideas and policy alternatives that: reduce public and private health care costs; protect the patient-physician relationship; and improve consumer choice in Oregon’s health-care sectors. Cascade debuted the Oregon Health Choice Program on Feb. 28 and March 1 with a full schedule of media interviews, private meetings and public forums featuring Dr. David C. MacDonald, co-founder of the American Association of Patients and Providers (AAPP). One AAPP program gaining local, national and international attention is SimpleCare. Speaking before audiences of physicians, medical school students, insurance agents, and other members of the medical community in Salem and Portland, Dr. MacDonald explained that SimpleCare was originally founded to help the uninsured afford medical care. “Why is it the uninsured are coming in and paying retail prices for health care when they incur no insurance-related costs?” he asked. “Why don’t we at least give them the same deal we give to insurance companies?” With those questions, SimpleCare was born. SimpleCare’s operating principle is that physicians charge less when patients pay for routine medical care at the time of service. Fee for service allows physicians to cut their billing and insurance-related administrative costs, often by 30 to 50 percent. With less paperwork, doctors have more time to spend with patients, which makes for greater job satisfaction and better patient care. “For people unable to pay even the lower cost of care at the time of delivery, the AAPP is working to offer a low-interest medical credit card so they can make payments over time,” MacDonald said. Further, in the spirit of Hippocrates, the AAPP has developed the Cares for America program, which asks SimpleCare providers to accept some patients each month who cannot pay for their health care services. Those patients are asked to volunteer time with a non-profit within 90 days as a way to pay their bill. “Insurance still has its role to play,” said MacDonald. Though SimpleCare was created with the uninsured in mind, he recommends that individuals and businesses use SimpleCare coupled with inexpensive, high deductible insurance policies. “Pay cash for routine care, insure for unforeseen, catastrophic events-just like you do with your home or car,” MacDonald advised. SimpleCare can work well for businesses that offer flexible spending accounts, Section 105s, and Medical Savings Accounts, which are basically Individual Retirement Accounts for health care. The latter would allow wealth to accrue, and could ultimately become a self-funding source for one’s health and long-term care insurance. “We chose to launch the Oregon Health Choice Program with SimpleCare because it is a working solution that is being adopted by many Oregon doctors,” said Cascade vice president Kurt T. Weber, who is coordinating the Institute’s health policy work. “Moreover, SimpleCare offers an excellent model for improving health care and lowering costs by returning insurance to its rightful role: protection against major unforeseen events.” Weber notes that on the immediate horizon Cascade is organizing a Portland seminar to highlight solutions that businesses, organizations, and individuals can implement immediately to have better health care while controlling or lowering costs. Options to be covered include flexible spending accounts, Section 105s, Medical Savings Accounts, and other innovative tools. See www.simplecare.com or read Cascade Commentary, “SimpleCare helps cut health care costs,” at www.cascadepolicy.org ‘Evergreen (Today’s Quote)’ It must be obvious that liberty necessarily means freedom to choose foolishly as well as wisely; freedom to choose evil as well as good; freedom to enjoy the rewards of good judgment, and freedom to suffer the penalties of bad judgment. – Ben Moreell ”See Web site” https://www.grassrootinstitute.org ”for further information. Join its efforts at “Nurturing the rights and responsibilities of the individual in a civil society. …” or email or call Grassroot of Hawaii Institute President Richard O. Rowland at mailto:grassroot@hawaii.rr.com or (808) 487-4959.”

Suzanne Gelb Image ‘Chivalry And Politeness — Are They a Thing of the Past?’ Q: Dear Dr. Gelb: What has our society come to? I was having lunch the other day in a restaurant that makes my favorite soup. I usually go in for a quick bowl of soup on my lunch break and I sit at the counter because it is faster. Along came this gentleman, if you can call him that, and sat on the stool beside me. He ordered soup also and we were both served about the same time. This gentleman had a long beard and a mustache hanging over his mouth. He took a couple of spoonfuls of his soup, and began to suck the rest of it out of his mustache. Needless to say, I pushed my soup aside and walked out. Was I rude in doing this? I was only trying to make a statement. Possibly Rude A: Dr. Gelb says . . . Dear Possibly Rude: I believe that the most appropriate course of action would be to pick up the bowl of soup, move down the counter to another place if possible, and ignore the vulgar behavior. You probably have noticed that in most public places very few people in today’s society show manners or respect for each other. Chivalry and politeness appear to be, unfortunately, a thing of the past. If I had my way, we would get it back. However, for this to occur, caregivers need to reinstate this type of discipline as they teach their young ones to show courtesy and respect to each other. ‘Faking It — To What Lengths Would I Go For a Free Meal?’ Q: Dear Dr. Gelb: I was having dinner at a very exclusive restaurant in a nice neighborhood and as I began to enjoy my dessert there was a hair in the pudding. I brought this to the attention of the waiter, he came to the table with a white cloth over his arm and I pointed to the hair in the pudding. Immediately he left and another gentleman who identified himself as the manager, came to my table and apologized and offered me and my guest a free meal. He also asked if there was anything else that he could bring me to make up for this embarrassment. I appreciated this gesture and of course accepted the generosity. My guilt is that my next restaurant I went to, I actually thought of planting a hair in one of the entrees to see if I could get another free meal, but my conscience wouldn’t allow it. Shameful Me Dear Shameful: You were right to bring to the restaurant’s attention the fact that the hair was in your pudding. Most establishments are very generous in compensating for errors of that nature, and believe me, the kitchen help usually hears about it because this is something that they do not want to occur. However, as careful as they can be accidents do happen. As far as your conscience goes I am pleased that you have one. Continue to obey it and live a healthy life. ”Suzanne J. Gelb, Ph.D., J.D. authors this daily column, Dr. Gelb Says, which answers questions about daily living and behavior issues. Dr. Gelb is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Honolulu. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Human Services. Dr. Gelb is also a published author of a book on Overcoming Addictions and a book on Relationships.” ”This column is intended for entertainment use only and is not intended for the purpose of psychological diagnosis, treatment or personalized advice. For more about the column’s purpose, see” “An Online Intro to Dr. Gelb Says” ”Email your questions to mailto:DrGelbSays@hawaiireporter.com More information on Dr. Gelb’s services and related resources available at” https://www.DrGelbSays.com

“Suzanne Gelb Image”

”Chivalry And Politeness — Are They a Thing of the Past?”

Q: Dear Dr. Gelb:

What has our society come to? I was having lunch the other day in a restaurant that makes my favorite soup. I usually go in for a quick bowl of soup on my lunch break and I sit at the counter because it is faster. Along came this gentleman, if you can call him that, and sat on the stool beside me. He ordered soup also and we were both served about the same time. This gentleman had a long beard and a mustache hanging over his mouth. He took a couple of spoonfuls of his soup, and began to suck the rest of it out of his mustache. Needless to say, I pushed my soup aside and walked out. Was I rude in doing this? I was only trying to make a statement.

Possibly Rude

A: Dr. Gelb says . . .

Dear Possibly Rude:

I believe that the most appropriate course of action would be to pick up the bowl of soup, move down the counter to another place if possible, and ignore the vulgar behavior. You probably have noticed that in most public places very few people in today’s society show manners or respect for each other. Chivalry and politeness appear to be, unfortunately, a thing of the past. If I had my way, we would get it back. However, for this to occur, caregivers need to reinstate this type of discipline as they teach their young ones to show courtesy and respect to each other.

”Faking It — To What Lengths Would I Go For a Free Meal?”

Q: Dear Dr. Gelb:

I was having dinner at a very exclusive restaurant in a nice neighborhood and as I began to enjoy my dessert there was a hair in the pudding. I brought this to the attention of the waiter, he came to the table with a white cloth over his arm and I pointed to the hair in the pudding. Immediately he left and another gentleman who identified himself as the manager, came to my table and apologized and offered me and my guest a free meal. He also asked if there was anything else that he could bring me to make up for this embarrassment. I appreciated this gesture and of course accepted the generosity. My guilt is that my next restaurant I went to, I actually thought of planting a hair in one of the entrees to see if I could get another free meal, but my conscience wouldn’t allow it.

Shameful Me

Dear Shameful:

You were right to bring to the restaurant’s attention the fact that the hair was in your pudding. Most establishments are very generous in compensating for errors of that nature, and believe me, the kitchen help usually hears about it because this is something that they do not want to occur. However, as careful as they can be accidents do happen. As far as your conscience goes I am pleased that you have one. Continue to obey it and live a healthy life.

”’Suzanne J. Gelb, Ph.D., J.D. authors this daily column, Dr. Gelb Says, which answers questions about daily living and behavior issues. Dr. Gelb is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Honolulu. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Human Services. Dr. Gelb is also a published author of a book on Overcoming Addictions and a book on Relationships.”’

”’This column is intended for entertainment use only and is not intended for the purpose of psychological diagnosis, treatment or personalized advice. For more about the column’s purpose, see”’ “An Online Intro to Dr. Gelb Says”

”’Email your questions to mailto:DrGelbSays@hawaiireporter.com More information on Dr. Gelb’s services and related resources available at”’ https://www.DrGelbSays.com

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department are investigating a house repair scam that occurred in the Kalihi area between Dec. 28 and 31, 2002. On Saturday, Dec. 28, a male approached an 85-year-old Caucasian woman who was working in her front lawn. The male suspect, his wife, and two sons offered to paint her house and fix her roof for $7,000. The suspects did some painting and placed a substance on the roof. The job was not completed and the suspect stated that he would return in 100 days to finish the work. It was later discovered that no preparation work was done on the house prior to painting, inferior paint is believed to have been used, and the black substance used on the roof is still being investigated. This appears to be the newest in an old series of scams in which people offer to do house repairs for a “reasonable” fee and do inferior work without ever completing the job. ‘Suspect Description’ “Harry” Male, possibly middle European descent, Late 30’s, 5’9″, 150 lbs, Black hair, Brown eyes, Olive complexion, Foreign accent ‘Safety Tip’ The public should remember that “reasonable cost” can mean inferior quality and workmanship, and victims may be forced to go to civil court to resolve their complaints. Honolulu CrimeStoppers Inc., will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information which results in the arrest of a wanted person or the solving of case(s) reported to CrimeStoppers Honolulu Inc. All calls are confidential. Do not approach any suspect. All suspects and wanted fugitives should be considered armed and dangerous. All calls are confidential and anonymous. Persons who participate in the crime, or are victims of the crime are ineligible to receive CrimeStoppers rewards. Be a CrimeStopper and call the hot line at 955-8300 or *Crime on your cellular telephone. Access the CrimeStoppers Web site at https://www.crimestoppers-honolulu.org or the Student CrimeStoppers Web site at https://www.studentcrimestoppers.org

Dick Rowland Image ‘Shoots (News, Views and Quotes)’ – Natural Resources and Environment The DDT Ban Turns 30 By Todd Seavey Thirty years ago, on June 14, 1972, the Environmental Protection Agency’s first administrator, William Ruckelshaus, rebuffed the advice of his scientific advisors and announced a ban on virtually all domestic uses of the pesticide DDT. This was done despite the fact that DDT had earlier been hailed as a “miracle” chemical that repelled and killed mosquitoes that carry malaria, a disease that can be fatal to humans. Now, thirty years later, it is vividly apparent that DDT was not hazardous to human health and that the banning of its domestic use led its diminished production in the United States — and less availability of DDT for the developing world. American Council on Science and Health, 1995 Broadway, Second Floor, New York, NY 10023, 212/362-7044, fax 212/362-4919 https://www.acsh.org/publications/reports/ddt2002.html – The Sorry Plight of Canada’s Socialized Health-Care System In Canada, health care is a state monopoly — socialized medicine called “universal care” — that has developed a deservedly bad reputation, observers say. A new study from the Vancouver-based Fraser Institute documents the system’s failure: *1. Despite spending more money per capita than any other country with a similar system, Canadian health care ranks on a par with that of Turkey, Hungary and Poland. *2. Canada ranks 18th in access to MRIs, 17th in access to CT scanners, eighth in access to radiation machines and 13th in access to lithotripters, which are used for treating kidney stones. *3. Canadians do somewhat better in terms of health-treatment outcomes — but that is due in part to their option to come to the U.S. for services that would be unavailable or dangerously delayed at home. *4. All of the countries that beat Canada in outcomes have parallel systems of private health insurance and care delivery operating alongside the government system. In another survey, 6 in 10 Canadians told the Canadian Medical Association they expect the quality of care to worsen over the next five years. Canada is often held up as a model of universal health care the U.S. should emulate by lobbies such as Families USA and politicians who seem set on socializing health care. For example, the Senate refused to add a drug benefit to Medicare because Democrats insisted it be provided through the Health Care Financing Administration — which some observers call the worst bureaucracy in the world. At the same time, liberals oppose reforms that would aid those without insurance, such as relief from costly insurance mandates, or equalizing the tax treatment of employer-provided and patient-purchased policies. See www.ncpa.org Daily Digest 9/3/02 ‘Roots (Food for Thought)’ – Affordable Health Care Oregon Health Choice Program kicks off with SimpleCare Cascade launched the Oregon Health Choice Program in January. This three-year educational initiative will advance ideas and policy alternatives that: reduce public and private health care costs; protect the patient-physician relationship; and improve consumer choice in Oregon’s health-care sectors. Cascade debuted the Oregon Health Choice Program on Feb. 28 and March 1 with a full schedule of media interviews, private meetings and public forums featuring Dr. David C. MacDonald, co-founder of the American Association of Patients and Providers (AAPP). One AAPP program gaining local, national and international attention is SimpleCare. Speaking before audiences of physicians, medical school students, insurance agents, and other members of the medical community in Salem and Portland, Dr. MacDonald explained that SimpleCare was originally founded to help the uninsured afford medical care. “Why is it the uninsured are coming in and paying retail prices for health care when they incur no insurance-related costs?” he asked. “Why don’t we at least give them the same deal we give to insurance companies?” With those questions, SimpleCare was born. SimpleCare’s operating principle is that physicians charge less when patients pay for routine medical care at the time of service. Fee for service allows physicians to cut their billing and insurance-related administrative costs, often by 30 to 50 percent. With less paperwork, doctors have more time to spend with patients, which makes for greater job satisfaction and better patient care. “For people unable to pay even the lower cost of care at the time of delivery, the AAPP is working to offer a low-interest medical credit card so they can make payments over time,” MacDonald said. Further, in the spirit of Hippocrates, the AAPP has developed the Cares for America program, which asks SimpleCare providers to accept some patients each month who cannot pay for their health care services. Those patients are asked to volunteer time with a non-profit within 90 days as a way to pay their bill. “Insurance still has its role to play,” said MacDonald. Though SimpleCare was created with the uninsured in mind, he recommends that individuals and businesses use SimpleCare coupled with inexpensive, high deductible insurance policies. “Pay cash for routine care, insure for unforeseen, catastrophic events-just like you do with your home or car,” MacDonald advised. SimpleCare can work well for businesses that offer flexible spending accounts, Section 105s, and Medical Savings Accounts, which are basically Individual Retirement Accounts for health care. The latter would allow wealth to accrue, and could ultimately become a self-funding source for one’s health and long-term care insurance. “We chose to launch the Oregon Health Choice Program with SimpleCare because it is a working solution that is being adopted by many Oregon doctors,” said Cascade vice president Kurt T. Weber, who is coordinating the Institute’s health policy work. “Moreover, SimpleCare offers an excellent model for improving health care and lowering costs by returning insurance to its rightful role: protection against major unforeseen events.” Weber notes that on the immediate horizon Cascade is organizing a Portland seminar to highlight solutions that businesses, organizations, and individuals can implement immediately to have better health care while controlling or lowering costs. Options to be covered include flexible spending accounts, Section 105s, Medical Savings Accounts, and other innovative tools. See www.simplecare.com or read Cascade Commentary, “SimpleCare helps cut health care costs,” at www.cascadepolicy.org ‘Evergreen (Today’s Quote)’ It must be obvious that liberty necessarily means freedom to choose foolishly as well as wisely; freedom to choose evil as well as good; freedom to enjoy the rewards of good judgment, and freedom to suffer the penalties of bad judgment. – Ben Moreell ”See Web site” https://www.grassrootinstitute.org ”for further information. Join its efforts at “Nurturing the rights and responsibilities of the individual in a civil society. …” or email or call Grassroot of Hawaii Institute President Richard O. Rowland at mailto:grassroot@hawaii.rr.com or (808) 487-4959.”

Suzanne Gelb Image ‘Chivalry And Politeness — Are They a Thing of the Past?’ Q: Dear Dr. Gelb: What has our society come to? I was having lunch the other day in a restaurant that makes my favorite soup. I usually go in for a quick bowl of soup on my lunch break and I sit at the counter because it is faster. Along came this gentleman, if you can call him that, and sat on the stool beside me. He ordered soup also and we were both served about the same time. This gentleman had a long beard and a mustache hanging over his mouth. He took a couple of spoonfuls of his soup, and began to suck the rest of it out of his mustache. Needless to say, I pushed my soup aside and walked out. Was I rude in doing this? I was only trying to make a statement. Possibly Rude A: Dr. Gelb says . . . Dear Possibly Rude: I believe that the most appropriate course of action would be to pick up the bowl of soup, move down the counter to another place if possible, and ignore the vulgar behavior. You probably have noticed that in most public places very few people in today’s society show manners or respect for each other. Chivalry and politeness appear to be, unfortunately, a thing of the past. If I had my way, we would get it back. However, for this to occur, caregivers need to reinstate this type of discipline as they teach their young ones to show courtesy and respect to each other. ‘Faking It — To What Lengths Would I Go For a Free Meal?’ Q: Dear Dr. Gelb: I was having dinner at a very exclusive restaurant in a nice neighborhood and as I began to enjoy my dessert there was a hair in the pudding. I brought this to the attention of the waiter, he came to the table with a white cloth over his arm and I pointed to the hair in the pudding. Immediately he left and another gentleman who identified himself as the manager, came to my table and apologized and offered me and my guest a free meal. He also asked if there was anything else that he could bring me to make up for this embarrassment. I appreciated this gesture and of course accepted the generosity. My guilt is that my next restaurant I went to, I actually thought of planting a hair in one of the entrees to see if I could get another free meal, but my conscience wouldn’t allow it. Shameful Me Dear Shameful: You were right to bring to the restaurant’s attention the fact that the hair was in your pudding. Most establishments are very generous in compensating for errors of that nature, and believe me, the kitchen help usually hears about it because this is something that they do not want to occur. However, as careful as they can be accidents do happen. As far as your conscience goes I am pleased that you have one. Continue to obey it and live a healthy life. ”Suzanne J. Gelb, Ph.D., J.D. authors this daily column, Dr. Gelb Says, which answers questions about daily living and behavior issues. Dr. Gelb is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Honolulu. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Human Services. Dr. Gelb is also a published author of a book on Overcoming Addictions and a book on Relationships.” ”This column is intended for entertainment use only and is not intended for the purpose of psychological diagnosis, treatment or personalized advice. For more about the column’s purpose, see” “An Online Intro to Dr. Gelb Says” ”Email your questions to mailto:DrGelbSays@hawaiireporter.com More information on Dr. Gelb’s services and related resources available at” https://www.DrGelbSays.com

The following hearing notices, which are subject to change, were sorted and taken from the Hawaii State Capitol Web site. Please check that site for updates and/or changes to the schedule at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/hearing/hearing2.asp?press1=docs&button1=current Go there and click on the Hearing Date to view the Hearing Notice.

Hearings notices for both House and Senate measures in all committees:

Hearing

”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

1/14/03 9:00 AM None Informational Briefing EEP

1/14/03 9:00 AM None Informational Briefing WAM

1/14/03 9:00 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM

1/14/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing FIN

1/14/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN

1/14/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing SAT-ECD

1/14/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing TSM

1/15/03 2:30 PM None Informational Briefing FIN

1/16/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN

1/16/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM

1/16/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM/FIN

1/16/03 2:00 PM None Informational Briefing EDN

1/17/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN

1/17/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM

1/17/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM/FIN

1/17/03 9:00 AM None Informational Briefing EEP

1/17/03 3:00 PM None Informational Briefing EDU-HED

1/20/03 9:00 AM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN

1/21/03 1:15 PM None Informational Briefing TSM

1/21/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN

1/21/03 3:00 PM None Informational Briefing WAM

1/21/03 3:00 PM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM

1/22/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN

1/22/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM

1/22/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing WAM/TMG

1/23/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM

1/23/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM

1/23/03 1:00 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN

1/23/03 1:15 PM None Informational Briefing TSM

1/24/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM

1/24/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM

1/24/03 1:00 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN

1/27/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM

1/27/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM/EDU

1/27/03 1:00 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN

1/28/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM

1/28/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM

1/28/03 1:00 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN

1/28/03 1:15 PM None Informational Briefing TSM

1/29/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM

1/29/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM

1/30/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM

1/30/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM

The following hearing notices, which are subject to change, were sorted and taken from the Hawaii State Capitol Web site. Please check that site for updates and/or changes to the schedule at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/hearing/hearing2.asp?press1=docs&button1=current Go there and click on the Hearing Date to view the Hearing Notice. Hearings notices for both House and Senate measures in all committees: Hearing ‘Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee’ 1/14/03 9:00 AM None Informational Briefing EEP 1/14/03 9:00 AM None Informational Briefing WAM 1/14/03 9:00 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM 1/14/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing FIN 1/14/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN 1/14/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing SAT-ECD 1/14/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing TSM 1/15/03 2:30 PM None Informational Briefing FIN 1/16/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN 1/16/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM 1/16/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM/FIN 1/16/03 2:00 PM None Informational Briefing EDN 1/17/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN 1/17/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM 1/17/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM/FIN 1/17/03 9:00 AM None Informational Briefing EEP 1/17/03 3:00 PM None Informational Briefing EDU-HED 1/20/03 9:00 AM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN 1/21/03 1:15 PM None Informational Briefing TSM 1/21/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN 1/21/03 3:00 PM None Informational Briefing WAM 1/21/03 3:00 PM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM 1/22/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN 1/22/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM 1/22/03 1:30 PM None Informational Briefing WAM/TMG 1/23/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM 1/23/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM 1/23/03 1:00 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN 1/23/03 1:15 PM None Informational Briefing TSM 1/24/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM 1/24/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM 1/24/03 1:00 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN 1/27/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM 1/27/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM/EDU 1/27/03 1:00 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN 1/28/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM 1/28/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM 1/28/03 1:00 PM None Informational Briefing Summary FIN 1/28/03 1:15 PM None Informational Briefing TSM 1/29/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM 1/29/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM 1/30/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing WAM 1/30/03 8:30 AM None Informational Briefing Summary WAM

Yes, the Bush plan does provide an incentive to save and invest as a way to be(come) rich — rather than remaining poor and complaining about the government not doing enough to make one rich. For most people in America, saving and investing is the path to wealth and well-being, as it doesn’t matter how much one is “making” on the job, if he spends it all. That person is still living from paycheck to paycheck, albeit on a hundred thousand a year income. And that probably is the crux of many people’s difficulties at the present time — not that their incomes are inadequate. They have no knowledge of personal financial management and responsibility — that allows them to see themselves as employees, investors, as well as owners of their own unique/small businesses — instead of the highly partisan view as labor, management, owner, small businessperson. In order to have a balanced view, we’re going to have to view it from all the perspectives — and not merely hope to achieve that balance from a brutal struggle of one narrow viewpoint dominating another, lacking insight from the other. So it is a shift in this long-term perspective that favors thrift, industry, productivity — and not just demands from those that squeak/whine the loudest. That’s a welcome change. It is not about wealth trickling down to the middle class and poor — but the poor and middle class coming to regard themselves as the wealthy and prosperous because they think in that successful manner — as investors. That’s not so much about money as it is about attitude — and how it is reflected in everything they see and say. The military is not the poor as your editorial hopes to distort. The military, more than any segment of society, defines the middle class. The relevant question in whether we use a draft to staff the military, should be if we have a more effective fighting force through that recruitment process. Common sense would tell all but the most ideological and demagogic that for a position of this sensitivity, you want people who self-select for these qualities and conscription would undermine this effectiveness — which I think is what your editorial writer really has in mind. At least he should be honest with himself about these hodge-podge of rants, half-baked ideas, Democratic Party demagoguery. The rich are rich because they save and invest their money — letting it accrue to prop up stock values and social stability. Then when they die they pass it on to their heirs and charitable institutions of their liking. But they’re not buying $100 million houses every year and drinking champagne out of Rolls Royces — like your editorial intern believes the wealthy does. The major beneficiary really of the non-taxation on dividends would be those fledgling investors in dividend reinvestment programs who would see their dividends compound tax-free until they built up their wealth. If people want to be rich, let them do it for themselves. The problem is when they demand it from others — their employers, the government — everyone but themselves. Which is what? — the entitlement/welfare mentality. ”Mike Hu is a resident of Honolulu and can be reached via email at” mailto:humikhu@aol.com