We should simply look at areas of the world where many languages are used. Are they democratic? No, the fact is democracy will be best served in the United States by a well-educated, well-informed, English-speaking populace.
Susan Yonaoshi
As the lead counsel for the eight legislators who applied to the First Circuit Court, State of Hawaii, in order to intervene in the Baehr vs. Miike lawsuit, I feel it is my duty, not only to my clients, but to concerned citizens to respond to your obviously biased editorial of March 13.
The legislators moved for intervention because they take their jobs seriously. They are concerned about the outcome of the pending litigation, and the fact is that the attorney general has refused and still refuses to present all compelling interests which could uphold Hawaii's current marriage law.
Rather than being criticized as "silly," the legislators should be congratulated for taking the position they have on an issue of such magnitude. I would venture to say more than 70 percent of the people of Hawaii would call them heroes.
The legislators are not mere observers, they are part of the process. They have a duty to their constituents and the people of Hawaii. The position adopted by your editorial is certainly one which will deprive the vast majority of the people in Hawaii from having their interests and concerns made known at the trial of an issue which may plague Hawaii if decided without all compelling interests being made.
Robert K. Matsumoto
The Mormons, Roman Catholics and fundamentalists are, fortunately, a minority in this state and I do believe that if the Legislature feels forced to put this issue on the ballot, it may well backfire on those who believe that this case is not a civil rights issue. The hoopla and fear these people are trying to cause can only backfire into their faces.
Let the Legislature concentrate on more important issues, like the economy and high cost of living here. There are many more important issues here than same-gender marriage.
After all, because of failed heterosexual marriages, this world is in a very bad state. Homosexual unions have a high success rate because they are based on love, something the Christians seem to know little about.
Guy B. Shepard V
Too, how soon you forget that the Haku Alliance, which continues to tear away at injured employees, received the lion's share of its financial backing from the insurance industry.
Now, you advocate that injured employees be placed into managed care plans ("contracting with health-care providers"). How would you like it if you were placed in a managed-care plan where the health-care providers who own the company determine the standards of care; provide care to you based on customary practice, not professional standards; negotiate their own fees; prohibit you from disputing the adopted treatment guidelines and standards of care; and then, thoroughly protecting themselves by being allowed to keep all information, records and notes about the care provided "confidential."
I certainly do not want to see nurses or any other employee who is injured on the job placed into such a managed-care disaster.
Senator Kanno deserves praise and not condemnation. As for the Haku Alliance, it should quit complaining,, be honest and focus on the real career magicians - the insurance industry!
Nancy McGuckin-Smith
Executive Director
Hawaii Nurses' Association
If tourism had the impact of raising our consciousness, enabling us to become stewards of our environment, a wealthy and educated populace and compassionate human beings, then I'd be all for it. But in my opinion, tourism, as we know it, has served big business, special interest groups and a fat and sassy government. We could do better for our islands if we start reevaluating our values.
Lisa Mitchell