Hawaii could have successful independent financial structure
Monday, July 24, 2006

In response to Fred Armstrong’s fears about potential economic difficulties faced by an independent Hawaii (Letters, July 20), one wonders if he has noticed all the other independent countries in the world with well-functioning banking, credit cards, tax and legal systems.

And there are many examples, including the Baltic states, of countries successfully making a transition from occupied status to restored independence with stable economies.

Granted, there are many difficult challenges that will have to be addressed for a smooth transition that benefits Hawaii and its people, but having a functional economy is certainly not dependent on being part of the United States.

If fact, there are many opportunities to actually improve on the way things are done when policy and legislation are created by and for the people of the islands, rather than being imposed on us from afar.

One can look at the predatory lending practices of banks and credit card companies, recent changes to the bankruptcy laws that disadvantage common people, the increasingly regressive nature of U.S. tax policies and the spiraling national debt to see opportunities for improvement.

One of the many great things about America is our freedom to openly discuss these ideas.

Yes, there are real dangers associated with independence, but there are also real opportunities. If we are willing to at least look at issues from a framework outside of U.S. federal policy, who knows what creative solutions we might find.

Scott Crawford
Hana