And your comment has what to do w/ cooperation?  I'm missing it.  Just my opinion, but if your line of reasoning were to be taken to an ultimate end, then the federal govt would have no reason to give Hawai'i back it's own money in the form of federal monies.  It's our money to begin w/ as well as 49 other states.  If HPDs stance is to not cooperate (as we see in San Fran right now) then when the mayor or the governor goes to Washington, hat in hand to get w/ the 4 reps we sent there to ask for subsidies, why should the federal govt agree to funding project x or initiative y?