Letters to the Editor

Friday, May 3, 1996

Post-mortem on the Legislature

Watershed year for reform ended in legislative drought

This year could have been, should have been, a watershed year for political and economic reforms in Hawaii. Instead, the 1996 legislative session putrefied into a stagnant cesspool of politics as usual.

Leaders in the House and Senate whine that a single issue confounded and impeded the session, yet only a leadership vacuum permits such singular domination to occur. Real leaders clear the path of obstacles and inspire others to follow.

Politicians quickly and sanctimoniously defended their ineffectual session, began to advertise their fund raisers, and are likely furtively scheming ways to wheedle "high three" positions. Incredibly, a few politicians actually seem contrite and have expressed their regrets and concerns about the past session.

The only hope for Hawaii lies in the voters. We can no longer afford such utter lack of concern for reforms in Hawaii. It is long past time to vote the rascals out. Even if the 1997 Legislature consisted of a majority of new faces, they could do no worse than this past session and likely they would do far better. It is long past time to give new ideas a chance.

Kerry A. Krenzke

Lawmakers have only themselves to blame

In the private sector, if you don't do your job, chances are you'll lose it. In the public sector, if you don't do your job, you use the newspaper to blame someone else. What's wrong with this picture?

Sooner or later voters should shart holding their elected officials responsible for their "lack" of action. Let's hope it's at the next election.

Martin D. Schiller

Graulty owes apology to same-sex opponents

In the April 29 Star-Bulletin, Sen. Rey Graulty was credited with saying, "The senators up for re-election who were part of the losing effort (to pass a constitutional amendment bill defining marriage as only between a man and a woman) did so to cater to the religious right."

This accusation could not be any further from the truth. As a senator, I have a duty to represent the people of my district in a thoughtful and responsible manner. In supporting or opposing legislation, I do so with a strong sense of conviction and determination to do what is right for the people of Hawaii. In working to bring this bill to a Senate floor vote, I was guided by that same strong sense of commitment.

For Graulty to attribute such gross motives to women and men who sincerely oppose the concept of same-sex marriage is a baseless indictment unworthy of a Senate chairperson piqued over his failure to enact his own domestic partnership bill.

Having worked with these senators throughout the legislative session on this issue, I know they have voted their convictions and most certainly do not deserve to be castigated in this matter. They deserve an apology.

Sen. Whitney Anderson

Holt doesn't deserve another term - he said it himself

I am absolutely thrilled, delighted and amazed that Sen. Milton Holt has finallygotten it right! In his own words he acknowledges that he doesn't deserve to return to office. Given his abysmal record I can only agree and encourage him to pursue other interests more suited to his high-handed, arrogant manner.

Oh, and Milton, you can't toss the blame for your lack of statesmanship onto the party or onto Richard Port.

Kudos to Port for his honest evaluation of elected party members. Surely Sen. Donna Ikeda must realize that this was no more a personal attack than her name calling and slamming of attorneys. Port is expressing what many in the party know to be true.

Andrea W. Bell

Auto insurers are giddy about Legislature's failures

Corky Trinidad got it right in his front page cartoon on April 30. The insurance companies are the only ones happy about the failure of the Legislature to produce auto insurance reform. Now they can continue to reap record profits on the high premiums they collect.

Did Sen. Milton Holt have this in mind when he introduced the same bill as was vetoed by the governor last year and since he never seriously negotiated with Rep. Ron Menor?

Laura Manis

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