Public schools are a CORE function of government now? Wow. I was thinking national defense, rule of law (courts, police/ marshals), basic trade regulation, treaties, maybe a few big transportation-related things.
We’ve been to Kauai, Mauai, and the Big Island, courtesy of three different business trips. A fourth is in our future in 2011. Looking forward to it. While there we talked with employees and business owners and inquired with our own larger organization about setting up shop there. The consistent answer was there is almost no middle class in Hawaii. Not counting government employees (federal, state, local). One either lives in Hawaii with wealth earned or received elsewhere or one lives sort of a subsistence lifestyle - just above poverty level in a great climate. Big drug problem there, also. The elemetary school we visited, several years ago, on the Big Island, was in a constant state of lock down, due to wandering druggies prevalent in the local community. Lots of small time theft.
It’s my general observation this is the result of what has already been pointed out on this thread: Hawaii is America’s most socialistic state. It would appear that California and Maine are doing their best to catch up and overtake Hawaii’s #1 status as a state whose primary industry seems to be government jobs, nanny state regulations, over taxation of everything, and social welfare. Maine literally recruits government welfare recipients to move here. Just over 25% of Maine residents are on Medicaid. Then again, it’s not snowing right now in Hawaii, as it is here.