Today is Tax Day 2009 and a number of Maui residents lined up along Kaahumanu avenue, fronting the Kaahumanu Shopping center. They were there to protest what they believe to be the fiscal irresponsibility of our government

There was plenty of horn honking from passing motorists. Whether it was in support of this group or not is hard to say. A number of them appeared to be supporters, but I did hear some exchanges between motorists stopped at the traffic lights and the people on the roadside. The motorists had some comments about the Bush administration getting us where we are.The protesters laid it on Obama.

John Henry, one of the Maui Conservative Party members spoke to me briefly to explain what the purpose of the protest was.Sorry for the wind noise, but it was breezy on Maui.
 
During the time I was at the scene, I was approached by a gentleman from Great Britain that was curious about the protest. He was a bit surprised to see Americans protesting and especially about the Obama administration. He wanted to know what this group thought the solutions were. I couldn't really answer him and would have to invite people to submit an article on their views. This can be done by logging into www.EmpowerMaui.com and submitting an article.

Personally. I find it is hard to figure out just what direction everyone wants our country and administration to go in. There does seem to be a common belief that we all need to be more individually responsible for our lives and to do our part to be the change, while not expecting the government to hand it to us.

I believe that the conservation of our resources, including the money we work so hard to obtain, should be a way of life for us, regardless of whether you subscribe to a conservative or liberal political view.

I did find it a bit ironic to be protesting the irresponsible spending of our government on the day before tax day in the front of a mall that was full of people. People who are probably spending their tax rebates on lattes, juices, clothing,movies and more.

A protest on government spending in front of a mall in Kahului, while only a block away in more than one direction, there are homeless people that are just concerned with survival.