By Tom Yamachika Special to West Hawaii Today
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Every so often a question comes up from some alert readers. “The Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) is regressive, meaning it falls hardest on the poor. Hardly anyone understands it, because it is so unlike the sales taxes, and even the gross receipts taxes, in any of the other States. It taxes basic necessities, like food, medical care, and electricity. So why don’t we just get rid of it?”