Editorial
In times like this, bold leadership counts

State lawmakers are properly wary about being stampeded into accepting rash and ultimately unrealistic actions in the face of the economic crunch rushing our way.

That helps explain some of the caution and even skepticism that has greeted Gov. Cayetano's ambitious plan to keep the economy moving forward in these difficult times.

But while careful, considered decisions are obviously in order, this is no time to go passive. The governor has demonstrated a profound sense of urgency; the Legislature must show no less.

If some of the ideas proposed by Cayetano appear unworkable, then it is the Legislature's duty to come up with substitutes. If some of his spending plans appear more than we can afford, lawmakers must ask themselves if we can afford the cost of doing nothing.

By tradition, of course, it is the executive that proposes and the legislative that disposes. That's well and good. But if the disposition turns out to be a decision to set things aside and simply wait to see what the future brings, Hawai'i will have lost a profound opportunity to take firmer control of its own economic future.