When I was a small kid, we had a way of dealing with scarcity. Let's say you brought a bag of White Rabbit candy to school. There're four left in the bag and 12 kids screaming at you "I like one!" You feel like you're inside a beehive, so you throw the candy in the air and yell "ROUGH TAKE!" and then get the sadistic pleasure of watching kids pummel each other to get their hands on just one yummy milky morsel. No matter what was thrown out there in the ROUGH TAKE-baseball cards, li hing mui, Nibb-its-three kinds of kids always got the stuff: 1) big kids, 2) fast kids, and 3) kids who were friends of the guy with the stuff.
Tough times Fast forward to today. We're in tough economic times. You heard about this, right? We're reminded everyday. Here in Hawaii,
more people are at risk for homelessness,
unemployment has reached a high point,
tourism is in the tank, and
schools are facing major cuts. And this economic crisis is a deep one-if it's not seriously affecting you yet, it is probably affecting someone you know.
Over the past month or so, I've found myself in meetings at the State Capitol including
one with members of the Governor's cabinet and Hawaii's social service leaders. I've also talked with business and union leaders, legislators, and people working on health issues, energy, education, economic development, and more. Everyone is concerned about the prospects of deep cuts in government spending.
And I don't blame them. Practically everyone has a legitimate cause and their fight for that cause is most often moral and just. Sure there's room for government to get more efficient, but many of the cuts being suggested now are much deeper than most of us realize, and they will cause public and private sector job losses, eliminate important services, and push social and economic problems to future generations.
I'll give you one example. Hawaii Healthy Start is a program to prevent abuse and enhance early childhood development through very early identification of at-risk new parents. I first heard of this program when it was a finalist for an
"Innovations in American Government" award in 1997. It was pretty impressive for a Hawaii program to be recognized in that way. In fact, Healthy Start became a model that inspired similar programs in other states and countries. Today, Healthy Start is
slated for elimination in the proposed budget. If this holds, it will have gone from
state pride to
gone in 10 years. That's a pretty alarming indicator of where we are at.
But what would
you cut in order to balance the budget? Healthy Start or homeless services or text books or environmental protection or public safety or what? Or would you raise taxes? How? Would you close some schools? Which ones? Would you layoff some state workers? Which ones?
These are tough, frustrating questions. Kind of makes you want to throw everything in the air and just see where things land.
Well guess what... that's kind of how we do things. After 230+ years of evolution, American democracy, especially in 21st Century Hawaii, looks like a ROUGH TAKE. There is one guiding principle. It is the same rule that applies in the playground ROUGH TAKE:
every man for himself. In this case, the loudest, the luckiest, and the most well-connected win. You can throw political elbows and low blows, you can ignore all issues other than your own. Eventually, all the money will be snatched up.
We are so accustomed to this that we think it's kind of funny. They say
making laws is like making sausage. But are we really satisfied with that? Because the ROUGH TAKE seems like the exact worst way to solve our problems, especially at a time like this.
It's a perfect storm right now. More people are being driven into hard times due to a sinking economy; just at a time when our government is planning deep cuts in social services; just at a time when charitable organizations are financially crippled; just at a time when we might neglect long term investments, like education, that could prevent future despair.
This is not a time for leaving things to chance or for political posturing; not a time for selfishness. These are
extraordinarily serious times… two wars (just counting the ones we're in), global financial crisis, global environmental crisis, and waves of young people going through their one and only chance to be children. There are no do-overs for our children.
Searching for guiding principles, common vision The guiding principle of
every man for himself is entirely at odds with the core values of the "
Aloha State." It is at odds with how most of us live on a day-to-day basis. ROUGH TAKE seemed pretty logical in the playgrounds when I was seven. But it is an utterly ridiculous m.o. for grown-ups living together on isolated islands.
No single one of us has the answers for all of us, so we have to work together. If most of us could come together around our common values, a common vision, and some guiding principles-while we still wouldn't be happy with every decision-at least we might make more rational decisions, develop a better sense of unity, and be more at peace with the results. So where is that common vision?
[Related]If you've met as many people as I've been fortunate enough to meet, you would know that the vast majority of us want the same things. It doesn't matter who we are-young or old, rich or poor, laborers, lawmakers, executives, secretaries, executive secretaries, retirees, students, Hawaiian or Chinese or haole or Filipino or Micronesian or all-kine-mix-up, Christian or Buddhist or Muslim or Atheist, gay or straight, able-bodied or disabled, happy or sad or just-so-so. I could be talking to someone in Kalihi or Kaunakakai or Kapaa or Waimea or Kahala or Waimanalo or Bishop Street or California or wherevas. Most people want to do right by our island values. We want to honor past generations and do the right thing for future generations. And we want to do our part-our
kuleana.
In the coming weeks, the Kanu staff is going to spend a little time looking for some rhyme and reason in this economic crisis; thinking about some guiding principles to help us pursue a Hawaii that is more economically resilient, environmentally sustainable, and compassionate, even in these tough economic times. Because while we all want
stabilization and
recovery, we also need
progress. We'll look for opportunities among the hard choices and welcome your own insights, feelings, and experiences to shed light on what we need from our government, public institutions, and businesses. If you have important things to share,
form a group of Kanu island-style activists and blog about your cause and how it unites with the values and vision.
We also want to explore how we as individuals can "be the change we seek," because any solution that demands nothing from the people is not a viable solution in a crisis.
My kuleana... rejecting "me first" As this recession goes on, we will all be bombarded with messages telling us how to best cover our own asses. True, sustaining ourselves and our families is an essential kuleana, but we can easily go overboard with that. I know I'm already starting to tune out the advice to
look out for yourself,
take no risks,
fixate on dollars and cents, and
hoard what you can. I think selfishness and individualism will only prolong the misery. Instead, this feels like a time to walk away from the ROUGH TAKE. This seems like the perfect time for me to reach out more generously and selflessly than ever before and with no expectation of getting anything in return. Now is also the time for me to ask for help when I need it, with humility and gratitude. And now is the time to build deeper levels of trust and kinship. It is time to cultivate
aloha.
It is our
island intelligence-our
aloha-consciously practiced and promoted by individuals and leaders, that will help turn this "crisis" into an opportunity. It is in these tough times that I am most thankful for my fellow islanders who "get" this. I see them everyday... a quiet majority. They understand that humans often find their better selves in times of struggle. They embrace their responsibilities.
I'll end with a quote from our President-Elect, who
according to the New York Times, embodies the Aloha Spirit. At his acceptance speech in Denver, he said:
That's the promise of America - the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper.
Spoken like one true braddah.
Aloha
Energy
Food
Government
Andrew, your "Rough Take" is spot-on. We all have our causes we want to see funded, but no one is volunteering to take an extra cut to fund someone else's program. I think the best thing state policy makers can do is in a public forum share their overall budget, what their share of the cut is, what programs are statutorily mandated, and then ask for inputs from the public. If this is an open process, we will all see the tough choices decision makers have before them. While I may not agree w/ the final decision, I will be much more satisfied if all of the budget-cutting options are public knowledge first. That is all we can ask, and this is Aloha.
Great entry, thank you for writing.
I'm curious as to whether the Kanu membership rate has been increasing since last Fall when news of the economic crisis was featured on every media format 24/7 (so it seemed). Rejecting "me first" - is it happening just within our community on Kanu? Or, are you seeing it in strangers as well?
andrew...i love your article. this is a perfect example of what usually happens. you are right, this is the perfect time for us as people of hawaii, as americans and as humans on this planet to seize the moment and create change from within.
keep up the great work.
see you soon.
Andrew, didn't White Rabbit candy come out on the China melamine list? I don't know if many kids would "rough take" on that one now, or at least I wouldn't. Ha ha ha. Anyhow, I understand that we on Oahu have many homeless, who live by the "rough take" rule, scavenging and all. But a less urban island like Molokai doesn't have homelessness, though I realize that there are less public trashcans to rummage through, it seems that people are more connected and take better care of each other when the going gets rough. Simplyfying by cutting back on what one owns also means there is less to maintain, clean, and store. So, it seems to me that less = more (time, money, peace of mind).
So what ever happened to the idea that you prepare for the worst and hope for the best? What happened to bartering because one wants to share, not because one feels obligated? For many of these freecycle or craigslist places, people have things for free, or for sale, but not many for barter. Now don't get me wrong, but when there are freebies offered, I like to see if there is something I have that maybe the person would like or want - just because (and not to sound cheesy) sharing is caring.
If I were able to cut something, I would cut expese accounts, and excess spending. I would make sure that criteria was there to make sure that people hired for a position were actually producing something to get said paychek. The reward would be for execution, and not just showing effort. It's being accountable, and having integrity.
Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful article. Trying to balance the State budget on the back of those who can least afford it and are most in need of services is short sighted and I am sure will have repercussions in the future. There is so little transparency in the State budget that it is difficult to know how to even start a dialogue! Thank you for helping us see that random rough cut policies will never get us to where we need to go.
Hawaii isn't an Island for scavengers, I'm sure you agree.
If there's something wrong in Government there is an identifiable cause.
If there's something wrong in Business there is an identifiable cause.
Internet & Database based Accountability has made it much easier to pinpoint the exact cause of Exploitation, Migration, Emigration, White Rabbits, Hollywood Films & Kickbacks.
I've always found the answer to the problems of Hawaii with the "Follow the Money" approach. If someone's trying to run a "Kingdom", or if King George tried to run a Monarchy, there's a clear way to prove Newspapers report what they want to report & why & Businesses produce what they want to produce & the causes of the push in the market.
Hawaii's answers will be found from the inside out. I know you appreciate Hawaii & don't expect the Island provide everything for free, just as I know you will find your answer & direction within yourself.
Sincere Regards,
Childhood Without War
(c) Legislation + Classroom Plans = Opportunity for Chastity, Financial, Physical & Psychological Stability.
http://childhoodwithoutwar.net
Andrew, I could not agree more with your comments.
I have watched all the material items that I have worked so hard for over the last 10 years be stripped away over the last 24 months as the world entered this financial crisis.
While it has been difficult to hold my head up high and keep going - some days it is difficult to even get out of bed - this experience has also been truly a gift. It has given me an opportunity to re-examine my personal values, and find out what is truly important to me.
Life is about so much more than a nice car and mortgage payments. Life is about the human experience, about connecting with our brothers and sisters, about reaching out and helping those around us.
If you are feeling down about the challenges you face, try volunteering at a homeless shelter, or anywhere that you can be of service to others.
The experience will not only give you a renewed perspective on everything we have to be grateful for; it will also nurture your soul.
There is so much doom & gloom in the mainstream media today that it is no wonder their is so much despair and doubt spreading in our communities. Instead, let's share and showcase the positive things that we are each doing to make a difference in our communities, and get through these tough times together.
Well done kanuhawaii for leading by example. Keep up the great work.
Thanks for your comments, everyone. Really, you are a community organizer when you use your words consciously and with conviction and when you can lead by example. I'm really encouraged knowing that so many of you are out there.
We've been taking a look at different ideas to consider during these times so that we can really keep moving forward together rather than merely crouching protectively over our own small pieces of the pie. James looked into a handful of ideas and wrote about them here... http://www.kanuhawaii.org/today/article/?id=1233690721794764
I also went to a cool meeting this morning sponsored by Community Links Hawaii that explored partnerships among public interest organizations. I really believe that this can be a time of opportunity and revival if we look hard enough.