THE END OF UNIONS IN HAWAII?
For the past year or so, there has been an eclectic discussion group, called the Gourmet Philosophers. We meet to solve the mounting problems of mostly Hawaii, while maximizing the consumption of superior wines, while indulging in foie gras, escargot, crème brule and other decadent victuals. I'll later justify the process, for this seeming immorality will hopefully be balanced by the good that we hope will come.
The membership is somewhat fluid and there tends to be a mix of 60% lawyers, 60% engineers/scientists/systems analysts and 60% humanitarians/social engineers/educators, because some of us are all three by degree or experience. To gain a measure of respectability, we have run a university, served as a federal attorney, directed cutting edge research and the like. Anyway, tonight we assembled at Duc’s Bistro, and reached a kind of consensus on various solutions to ameliorate the coming Hawaii depression I have long pontificated over during the past few months. Just a few include establishing a patent free zone, plus satellite international patent office, in Hawaii; introducing a next generation sustainable and clean air transport concept to replace aircraft powered by fossil fuel; and advocating a revolution in early education...actually, education in general...and so on.
I will spare you the details, and, for now, only mention one concept I advanced for consideration. Those that participated can comment and add their input below, for much of our intended package included sensible and workable pathways. Not, however, I suspect, the following.
At one time, for both the nation and the State of Hawaii, unions were absolutely essential for getting us to where we are today. But the times they have changed, yet no one dares to officially underscore the debatable contention that unions are today obsolete, particularly in Hawaii. This still toothy dinosaur is so rooted to past conventions that it seems to have totally lost sight of what should be its current mission for the misguided sake of historical precedence.
Governor Linda Lingle was absolutely right in suggesting furloughs as the least painful way to overcome the current economic crisis. Now, there is no doubt that Democrats are doing everything possible to prevent Lingle (a Republican) from becoming a future Congressperson. But our local unions were incapable of rising above politics and personalities, and instead carried on the usual practice of posturization, legalization, orchestrated protest marches, and the like.
I, therefore (no, the Gourmet Philosphers would not be comfortable in advocating such a ridiculous notion, which has, realistically, zero chance of becoming real, especially in Hawaii), ask the State Legislature to consider abolishing public unions in Hawaii beginning as soon as possible. I was asked to be more reasonable, so, as a start, let us limit Step One to the Hawaii State Teachers’ Association and University of Hawaii Professional Assembly. What will replace them? I don’t know…maybe just the wisdom of our elected officials who are responsible for the future of Hawaii. Is this smart? What could possibly be the downside, for we must initiate monumental changes today to minimize that local depression to come from $150+/barrel oil. Just go to my July 21 posting.
Again, I can easily predict that there will not be any kind of backlash response (my July 16 posting actually did catalyze input, but that was a singular exception), so amuse me, please. I will now and then refer to this article and continue to challenge our decision-makers, adding yet another exposition to the direct methanol fuel cell, Blue Revolution, Venus Syndrom and the like.
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The Dow Jones Industrials slipped 25 to 9256, while world markets were almost all down. Crude oil is still loitering in the low $70/barrel ranged and gold dropped a buck to $963/toz. Ah, but cash for clunkers passed and was signed by President Obama. Go Ford!
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In the West Pacific, Typhoon Morakot, now at 95 MPH, will slam into Taiwan and continue into China. But in and around Hawaii, Hurricane Felice, earlier today at 140 MPH, has now weakened to 115 MPH, and should further diminish in strength to sub-hurricane status by Sunday. Felice seems now poised to affect Hilo more than the southern tip of the Big Island, and could well waft over Maui and into Oahu. How strong will she be? A lot will still be determined by the interaction (see my blog of yesterday) with Enrique, which is now a tropical depression. There is a plethora of models:
So where will Felicia go? I don’t know, but I fly to the Big Island tomorrow, so stay tuned.
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