A call for Public service reform and more meaningful communication...

[Patrick M. Walsh]

From:      Patrick M. Walsh
To:          Open Letter to Hawaii State Governor Linda Lingle
Subject:  A call for Public service reform and more meaningful communication.
Date:      November 20 2008

A worsening housing or credit market means a greater risk of a much deeper economic downturn this year and next. I suspect that service industry jobs will grow much faster than goods-producing jobs in the next couple of years.

Our new focus should be towards public service reform and small business export business expansion. Our emphasis on new visitor market expansion is expensive and the hospitality industry for the most part, has not made adjustments in services or to any degree acclimate staff to culture training for proper service for the visitor in these new markets.

The expansion of the military can be seen from the government perspective as a ?bright spot? to be sure.  Federal spending in areas like small business development to partner in the effort of ?privatization of military? can have a significant impact in our community. However, future projects must focus on the employment and training of entry level residents. 

Comments about the economy that state "expected upturns" should be rationalized as much as possible as in these periods of economic downturn most folks are seeking timely and accurate information.

Hawaii's tourist-dependent economy has created many problems.  Hawaii's economy creates mostly low-paying jobs, but the cost of living is nearly 40 percent higher than on the continent. Now that the nation and world are facing economic challenges, it is vital that the islands become diversified and self-sufficient.

Partisan politics can be very counterproductive. We grow from dialogue -from opposing viewpoints when we vote the "party line" regardless of what our candidates do, say or believe, we lose out on exploring innovative approaches and ultimately limit our options.

It is my hope that our Mayors elect, will live in the spirit of healthy multi party politics; that he will look for guidance from the state executive office; seek the wisdom of people from a wide variety of experiences, backgrounds and political persuasions; and ultimately do what he feels best for the people of Hawaii county and the state, regardless of what it might mean for his career.

I am optimistic is that our new county administration will work to address the economy immediately. 

A healthy economy is one in which the forces of the marketplace are open to competition, and money is in circulation for the end result -high employment in the private sector.

There is no absence of money in Hawaii. There is however a fear of not having enough which causes people to stockpile and not spend.  Resurgence in circulation will occur when fear is released and trust in our leadership is established.

It is also my hope that we collaborate with our neighbors- sit and communicate with them so that everyone's needs are articulated. Democracy is not "one size fits all."

We are of different cultures, and as it happens communication always delivers better understanding.

Post Office Box 10277 Hilo, Hawaii, 96721 USA

[Patrick M. Walsh]

Today great minds are focusing on the ingredients for economic recovery whereas we should consider the factors that made this economic failure so successful and retool our way of doing business.
The general consensus today is change needs to occur in the management of our public services. We all seem to agree to this notion.

The current legislative effort to balance the budget has usurped the voter?s authority. Just two months after sweeping reelections the incumbent democrats in office increased their pay, set out to justify tax increases and nixed open election reform. This duplicity smacks of an apparent disregard of campaign ethicacy. Based on the sense and tenants of democracy these acts firmly place the collective body of our current government into a new imperial category.

The view that the voter mandated this new direction is wrong.

So it follows that to walk the same walk while making change is counter to the notion altogether. 
Further folks who are immersed in the current discussion are really not contributing in any real and meaningful way to the solution nor are the vast majority of concerned citizens being provided with any useful information or an invitation to participate.