The state of our economy and our budget deficits, health care reform, Honolulu's rail system, public school education, rising unemployment and cost of living increases must be addressed as priority concerns. But who in our government actually assesses consequential future challenges to determine the priorities for timely investments?

Sound planning and strategic thinking might forestall or at least mitigate the effects of future calamities. To illustrate this point: The question of furloughs versus layoffs has been prominently covered. But the more basic question might be whether all of our government organizations are performing essential functions and whether they are efficiently staffed. Perhaps the critical-needs staffing should be augmented while eliminating nonessential positions.

To reform health care, a commitment of funds to cover those presently uninsured could challenge our health system as well as our budget deficit unless investments are made to obtain expanded medical resources, trained personnel and facilities to cope with an expected surge in patients.

The availability of stimulus money through deficit spending could likely stimulate higher inflation rates in the future creating other economic challenges. What is our thinking and plans to mitigate any return to double-digit inflation rates?

A "futures group" for our state and local governments could be a cost-effective initiative to improve our strategic thinking and gain more foresight to minimize recurring cycles of economic, technical, and social catastrophes.