I am more than a little concerned about the national financial crisis that we're experiencing. I understand that more than 15% of national news on any network or media outlet is hooey and hype. But what concerns me is that people in politics, in finance and in the media from all points on the spectrum are in near panic mode. The gloom and doom predictions on the national level and our State's projected deficit worries me.

So I wonder, is there a "Plan B" out there? On the local level, are any political leaders or politicians talking about a "Plan B?" As I campaign, the words I hear most often from other politicians are usually limited to variations of the following: togetherness; for the keiki; teamwork; kupuna; and ohana. The better politicians can manage to weave these concepts into a single sentence. Mind you none of that is bad, but it ain't "Plan B."

So what do I mean by "Plan B?" I simply mean, is anyone talking about what we need to do if the national and our local economy tanks? Is anyone discussing how we can get through periods of possibly no or negative economic growth, high unemployment and lower income? Is anyone talking about priorities in that kind of reality?

Who should be concerned about whether or not anyone has a "Plan B?" Anyone in their mid-thirties and twenties, who are beginning their professional career should be interested in a "Plan B." Also, small business owners, anyone in the construction trades, people on fixed incomes, people who are within 5 years of retirement and normal everyday people like you and me. We are the ones who should be concerned about whether our politicians have a "Plan B."

When would "Plan B" be necessary? It would be necessary, if the local economy takes a real dive. Tourism would evaporate. Layoffs at hotels. Layoffs in the construction industry because developers can't get financing. Unemployment on this island would rise dramatically, as would people on welfare and food stamps. Crime and other social problems would boil over. Businesses, like car dealerships, contractors, restaurants, other service related business would be forced to close. Food and fuel costs increase by two or three times. Because of the federal and State deficits, we aren't going to get any help from Washington , D.C. , or Honolulu .

What's "Plan B?" This is the worst case scenario, where we're on our own and we have to solve our own problems. In this situation, I came up with these ideas. Some of them I've already written about. There are three (3) basic parts to "Plan "B:"

(1) Keep more of your money in the short term:

Suspend the General Excise Tax on food, fuel, health care, agricultural products and supplies (feed, seed and fertilizer), construction materials and supplies. Suspend the 50 cent surcharge on everything shipped here, just passed by the 2008 Legislature.

Employers and employees receive tax credits for any health care insurance costs, including co-pays.

(2) No one goes hungry:

All State departments and agencies come up with an inventory of property suitable for growing food and ranching.

Designate and allow communities to use State land for community gardens to raise their own vegetables. State equipment should be made available to assist in land preparation.

Designate State owned land suitable for ranching. Ranchers would be able to lease ranch land from the State and receive tax credits and two years at minimum lease rent, provided they sell their animals and products locally.

(3) To market, to market . . .

Waiver of any State taxes for the first three (3) years for any start up Ag coops. Low interest loans for any start up dairies and meat processing plants and two (2) year exemption from State taxes.

Open State property for Farmer's markets and food distribution centers throughout the week.

Allow use of State vehicles to assist non-profit organizations with food collection and distribution for shut-ins.

No one is talking about or thinking about what would happen if a "Plan B" was needed. Looking at the financial storm up ahead it would be foolish to think we can ignore the effects of the sinking economy. I already see and hear of friends being laid off from construction and hotel jobs. I already see and hear of small businesses closing operations.

With the national economy in such turmoil, with the State having to grapple with a deficit of hundreds of millions of dollars, we can no longer count on or expect help from the federal or state government and we have to come up with something different.

So we're back to "Plan B" which requires a fundamentally different perspective. Ask yourself this question, "What if the tourists just stop coming?" or, "What if half the tourists stayed home?" I know it's a bit far fetched but we all better start thinking of "Plan B" and you have every right to expect that people running for political office, like myself, should be able to see, anticipate and talk about what they think will happen.

Please pass this on to three of your friends to show them that someone, including yourself, are thinking about a "Plan B" if and when our economy gets worse.