Clinton must be held to a higher standard

I read an editorial in the Investor's Business Daily that contained a question summing up this whole squalid situation involving our president: "How can a man govern a nation when he can't govern himself?"

Leaders -- whether they are in government, business or private organizations -- should be held to a higher standard. We all want people who are willing to lead us by example. We want people of integrity and honesty. These values are not just for a priest or a Christian.

The people of these United States deserve a president who sets a good example in the White House. In the words of Albert Schweitzer, "Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."

Dana L. Clevenger

Hawaii government interferes in business

I recently moved to Hawaii to join my family's business. As I see the economy struggle, I am amazed by the enormous size of local government.

Since I grew up here, city and state regulations and the appetite for taxes to support government spending have progressively destroyed private business opportunities.

Bureaucrats have encouraged Oahu to be covered with concrete from one side to the other, and used part of these expenses to fuel the growth of government at the expense of taxpayers.

Government is further damaging the economy of Hawaii by attempting to manage private-sector investments, deciding who will be successful and who will not, and considering tax subsidies to pour more concrete while existing facilities lie unproductive.

I strongly object to actions supporting the introduction of Home Depot and other out-of-town companies at the expense of locally owned businesses. The best thing government can do to stimulate the economy is to reduce its role, by cutting taxes and spending, and letting capitalism function and thrive on its own.

Dana Lundquist
Kailua

Women and children will love Home Depot's classes

I used to live in Florida, where there was a great Home Depot store. What compelled me to write was some of the anti-Home Depot letters to the editor and the ad that Home Depot recently ran. I didn't even know that Home Depot had plans to come to Hawaii.

My first thought was, "Great!" Why wouldn't people want a company whose main focus is customer satisfaction? Besides the huge selection and great prices, Home Depot has workshops for the woman do-it-yourselfer and, even better, classes for kids.

When have you ever heard of a home improvement place, which is usually reserved for men, offering special classes for women and children?

I wonder if the people who are opposing Home Depot are aware of this. What are they afraid of? Good service and lower prices?

Sonja E. Swenson

Silent majority should make themselves heard

With regard to your Feb. 2 editorial, "Prayer breakfast," I would suggest that those wishing to do away with the Hawaii Prayer Breakfast, the National Prayer Breakfast or Good Friday, etc. will be successful.

That's because those wishing to keep these events as is will not be successful, unfortunately, due to their apathy.

John Richardson

Shortsightedness hampers growth of girls athletics

I was highly disturbed about the reports that the girls' state wrestling tournament was being canceled and the girls' state soccer tournament was being moved by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.

It's obvious that it has failed miserably in serving all high school athletes. The five-member executive board should be removed. They no longer appear to be responsive to public interests but only to their own egos.

The HHSAA clearly has an extremely shortsighted view of athletics. The promotion of girls' wrestling not only provides new opportunities for females and is totally in line with the intent of gender equality, but also indirectly supports the entire sport.

Female wrestling is a growing sport, now on par with other strength sports such as judo and Olympic weightlifting, which offer comparable women's championships.

This year FILA, the world's amateur wrestling federation, has sanctioned three women's world freestyle wrestling championships: for cadets (14-16 year old), juniors (16-20) and women (adults).

Similar to other sports such as basketball and volleyball, interest and enthusiasm for the entire sport improves and grows with equal opportunity provided to both genders.

Paul Mizue
Aiea

Why are we sending tax money to Nebraska?

Auwe! The Legislature has approved $500,000 for a consulting firm from Nebraska to study the needs of cruise ships in Honolulu Harbor. Nebraska? What's up with that?

I cannot believe that there are no local firms who could do this same study, possibly for less money. In these tough times, we need to keep the money at home, not send it to Nebraska.

I had honestly thought that the trend of getting a "mainland consultant" had ended and that local talent was beginning to get credit for being smart. Maybe this is why local kids are leaving the state. They have to live in Nebraska to be considered talented.

Lois Wilson

Social Security numbers shouldn't be used for I.D.s

Your Jan. 30 editorial noted that the current use of Social Security numbers on Hawaii driver's licenses was at least one cause of increased fraud and invasion of privacy.

Medical records are filed under Social Security numbers, and they are increasingly filed electronically. This means that anyone with access to your SSN (which is anyone who has seen your checks or your driver's license, or asked for I.D. in Hawaii) might be able to access your medical history.

As a health-care provider, I am very worried about this potential invasion and misuse of very private information. I agree with your editorial that this is serious enough to warrant the expense of changing the way we identify people in Hawaii.

Gregory Ramos, R.N.
(Via the Internet)

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Bishop Estate Archive

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