by State Rep. Lei Ahu Isa In all the years that I have known SBH, I have had the utmost respect for you. But, to my surprise, I open up the March issue of the Small Business News (an organization of which I have been a member for years!) and find you quoting me out of context on something that was printed in the Pacific Business News. Anyone at that meeting could tell you that I gave a Powerpoint presentation on the vision that I had for technology in Hawaii, and the continued support that I intended to give. Let me explain why I said that "we forget what the initial role of government was when Adam Smith (the father of economics) expounded his ideas of capitalism". Under Smith's theory of capitalism, businesspeople don't necessarily deliberately set out to help others. They work primarily for their own prosperity and growth. Yet, like an "invisible hand," as people try to improve their own situation in life, an economy grows and prospers through the production of needed goods, services, and ideas. Thus, the invisible hand turns self-directed gain into social and economic benefits for all. Following the history of economics and Adam Smith's theory of capitalism, we see that businesspeople in the United States, Europe, Japan and other countries began to create more wealth than had ever been created. They hired others to work on their farms and in their factories, and their nations began to prosper as a result. Businesspeople soon became the wealthiest people in society, and great disparities in wealth began to appear. If you wanted to be wealthy, all you had to do was start a successful business of your own Of course, it wasn't that easy...it never has been. Then and now, you have to accumulate some money to buy or start a business, and you have to work long hours to make it grow. But the opportunities have always been there. Free-market capitalism (capitalism without any government regulation) naturally leads to inequality of wealth. Business owners will make more money and have more wealth than workers will. Similarly, people who are old, disabled, or sick may not be able to start or manage a business. What does society do about such inequality? Not all people are generous. In fact, the desire to produce as much as possible and to create as much wealth as possible led some businesspeople to use such practices as slavery and child labor. Living conditions for workers throughout the world were modest at best in the 1800's. Furthermore, free-market capitalism may lead to environmental damage as businesses pollute streams and the air and cause other environmental problems. Clearly, some governmental rules and regulations are necessary to make sure that the environment is protected and that people who are unable to work get the basic care they need. So you see, this was what I was trying to explain to the group...that government's original role was to intervene to help "those people who are unable to work" and to help them get the basic care they needed. Ben DePietro, the author of the Pacific Business News article, took that statement out of context. He took an introductory statement that I had made before I went into my speech. I have always been a very strong advocate for small business, and passed out HB427 to accelerate the de-pyramiding, thereby allowing me to gut HB426 and replace it with an exemption of the 4% GET on food for our senior citizens. The luxury tax would have been repealed had the bill continued on through the process. I also passed out HB428 which reduces the corporate income tax, and even got HB 502 (PEO) out as well as HB 459 GET tax holiday! I even passed out the Chamber of Commerce's "new economy" bill, and included making permanent the Small Business Task Force bill which got killed in the Finance Committee. So please, set the record straight! I get enough harassing from my side of the aisle without having to deal with the Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii crucifying me, and, especially when I have been a member of his organization for many, many years.
 Confidence Creates Business Success By Suzanne Gelb, Ph.D., Psychologist Many business owners and their employees are talented and resourceful, yet it is not uncommon for office conversation to frequently include, "I'm not sure we're going to make it. ÝThe competition is fierce; what if we don't get enough business?" ÝThis thinking zaps us of energy that could be directed toward productive activities such as goal setting and planning. ÝThis fear-based perspective also reflects a lack of confidence. ÝConfidence is necessary for optimal functioning; yet it eludes many. ÝLet's discuss how to build confidence, so that we can maximize our potential for professional success. Strengths. ÝTo achieve confidence, individuals need to accept both their strengths and their limitations. ÝAppreciating one's positive qualities without accepting one's limitations does not support confidence. Limitations can include "things I'm not good at, or haven't mastered yet." Many people do not accept their limitations because they are ashamed of their ignorance (not knowing or understanding). Learning. ÝIndividuals who accept their limitations tend to feel comfortable about their ability to learn new things and overcome limitations. ÝThey typically feel confident about what they already know, whereas those who do not accept their limitations tend to be consumed with doubt. ÝThey may be aware of their strengths, but do not appreciate these qualities. ÝThey often feel a nagging sense of "I'm doing something wrong, or, I could do something better." ÝThis discomfort negates personal satisfaction. ÝFor example, "I gave a good presentation, but I didn't bring enough handouts." Ý There is always a "but" that negates achievement. Coping. People cope with doubt in various ways. ÝSome withdraw. Ý Others become overachievers (fear of failure drives them to set unrealistic goals). ÝSome try to fill the void created by doubt with addictive substances and/or behaviors. ÝSome mask doubt with arrogance or extroversion (they become very talkative or jovial). ÝThe fear of "what if I seem stupid" denies some people the ability to cooperate. ÝTo hide their ignorance they may criticize or reject others, or put people "on a pedestal" so that it is difficult to match their high standards (making teamwork impossible). ÝSome hide their ignorance with untruths (they exaggerate, fabricate or make inaccurate assumptions). Confidence. ÝPeople who feel confident about their abilities invariably experience a sense of equality with others. ÝConsider Bob who, along with his two brothers, manages a family-owned restaurant. Ý"I enjoy cooperating with my brothers," says Bob. ÝHe accepts his limitations and does not fear criticism. Ý"It's ok if I'm not proficient on the restaurant computer yet; it's alright with me that my brother's better on the keyboard than I am." ÝIgnorance is not a crime - it simply means that something has not been learned. ÝWith this understanding, people can more easily accept their limitations. ÝThen confidence can become a wonderful tool that motivates us to learn new things, to effectively express what we already know, and to maximize our business potential.
By Dick Rowland Sure enough, ever since the announcement of the results of the last U. S. census, which allowed an ever expanding menu of "race" choices to include such categories as part Hawaiian, part Caucasian, part Hispanic, and part black (64 classifications total) the press has been overflowing with insipid analysis of statistics. I can't imagine, for the life of me, why such categorizations should be the business of formal government at any level. It is understandable that each individual and family would and should attach significance to the family tree back through the generations. But how is it the concern of the U.S. government? Unless, of course, that government intends to discriminate based upon "race." Got it? It is rightfully immoral for you or me to discriminate for or against a person or a family based wholly on race. However, it is OK for individual legislators, grouped into a somewhat organized mob called a legislature, to use the government to discriminate against you, me, your neighbor, or the unknown guy across town based on nothing but race. A great example was the race based legal system for selections for college entrance in California that discriminated grossly against those of Asian ancestry. Thanks to the initial and continuing efforts of the great black businessman, Ward Connerly, that problem is diminishing, as well it should. Speaking of Ward Connerly, that's a person that I am prepared to practice discrimination toward. I am prepared to help him with money, time, energy and encouragement. Not because of his race but because of his sterling character. To me he is an admirable person and deserves my special consideration. His "race" is absolutely immaterial in my thoughts. So why is it important to the government and the mainstream media? I believe that they don't want to address important characteristics like good or poor character because such would be inconvenient for their assumption that everyone (except them of course) is guilty of gross race based negative discrimination. They see society of helpless victims seeking redress and aggressive bullies deserving of punishment. I don't see it, and, I suspect, neither do you. I, for one, am not going to help them in their evil crusade. When the year 2000 census taker visited me to attempt to complete the form that I had, on purpose, only partially completed, she asked my race. My reply, "I am a member of the Human Race." She, at first, thought I was joking, then she laughed and wrote it on the form. There it sits. Look for it in the statistics. Better yet, join me in protest: answer all queries about your race from every official or semi-official source with "Human" a true assertion and keep it at that. In other words discriminate against the question.
April 20th Reminders By Marie Okamura, State Tax Director The April 20th Hawaii filing deadline is coming soon! Here are a few reminders. Check all computations and entries, and make a copy of your completed return for your records. Be sure to sign your return. An unsigned return is invalid and may be returned to you. If filing a joint return, your spouse also must sign. Attach all Forms W-2, Forms 1099-G (if Hawaii income tax was withheld from unemployment benefits), required schedules, and other supporting documents. If you owe any additional taxes, attach your check for the amount owed to the front of your return. However, if making a payment for taxes due on an individual income tax return, enclose (but do not attach) your payment and a completed Form N-200V, Individual Income Tax Payment Voucher, with your return. Before sealing your envelope, make sure that it is your Hawaii return that is in that envelope. We sometimes receive a federal income tax return in an envelope addressed to us at the same time the Internal Revenue Service is receiving that same taxpayer's Hawaii return in an envelope addressed to them. Finally, be sure to file your return on or before Friday, April 20th. Returns sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be postmarked by midnight, April 20th. Use the correct postage, because envelopes with insufficient postage are not accepted by the Department and will be returned to you unopened. You also may use certain private delivery services (as designated by the Internal Revenue Service) to meet the filing deadline, but the date recorded or marked by the private delivery service company must be April 20th or earlier. If you cannot file your income tax return on time, complete the appropriate automatic extension form and submit it on or before April 20th. Because the extension is only an extension of time to file your return and not an extension of time to pay any tax that may be owed, attach your payment for any additional tax to your extension request to avoid late payment penalties and interest. Extensions of time to file general excise, transient accommodations, and rental motor vehicle and tour vehicle surcharge tax annual returns also may be applied for if you cannot file them by the April 20th deadline. However, these extensions are not automatic and will be granted only for good reason. The U.S. Postal Service will not have extended hours on April 20th, but we will again be providing curbside service that evening for last-minute filers on Oahu. From 5:00 P.M. to midnight, you can drive up to either the Punchbowl Street or Halekauwila Street sides of the Princess Ruth Keelikolani Building and hand your tax return, extension, or other tax document to an employee volunteer. For information or assistance, call us at 587-4242 (toll-free at 1-800-222-3229), or e-mail us at Taxpayer_Services@tax.state.hi.us. Tax forms may be obtained at any district tax office, by calling our Forms Request Line at 587-7572 (toll-free at 1-800-222-7572).
Visit the State Tax Department website at:
Shocked at Slayter! I was shocked when I saw page 8, SB News, March 2001. You have almost a full page devoted to Anita Lois Slayter including a picture featuring the two of you! This second hand Rose makes two plugs for the ERTF, a program which you made a floor speech advocating its elimination. All 19 Republican House members voted to eliminate! Is SBH now offering full support for this program? I suggest that no more APCBA articles be accepted by SBH without acknowledged signatures of all members of its Board of Directors. In your Feb. issue, she gave marriage views and slammed the Mayor. Here that loose cannon gives a diatribe on her problem with phone books and how she sponges off the Small Business Tax Payers! And pats herself on the back. Perhaps she needs a pat on her rump! I realize that you are very busy, but there should be a greater care on the selection of articles published in SBH!
Bill Sullivan
  
Shame on Slanted Journalism | Confidence | Bigoted Government Top | SBH Home Page | Hawaii's H4
Copyright 2001, Small Business Hawaii. All rights reserved.
|