Economic outpouring
Some citizens won't get benefit of a tax cut
Many elderly and disabled people who vote live only on Social Security. Their income is very low, probably averaging $800 a month.A tax cut would not benefit them, as they are exempt from taxes. Therefore, they would not be treated equally with those who can use a tax cut as proposed by the Economic Revitalization Task Force plan.
To offset an increase in the general excise tax, a fair tax revitalization rebate payment to these people should be made. Fairness also should take into account Hawaii's 30 percent cost-of-living differential. This money would flow back into the economy.
We only need to adjust the tax cuts to balance the plan so all our citizens are treated equally.
Ivan L. Kam
Public workers try to preserve status quo
As I filled out my federal and state tax forms this week, I realized that the current campaign by Hawaii Government Employees Association workers -- to get me to accept a raise in the general excise tax -- is an attempt to preserve the status quo.I have heard nothing from state or city workers regarding my two pay cuts the last two years, or my wife being laid off twice in the last year and a half.
Public workers couldn't care less about our economic situation. I can't believe their pious attempts to make it look as though they're all busting their collective butts to provide us with the best service they can possibly give for the money private-sector workers pay them.
Those of us in the private sector have been carrying the load for years to keep public workers happy! Who else can demand raises in a bad economy, get them and receive 14 paid holidays, when hardly any private-sector employees get that many sick and vacation days?
They should stop trying to convince us of their importance and necessity in the lives of all of us true taxpayers. In reality, most public-service workers could be let go and it wouldn't affect us a bit.
Robert Gray
Government must be cut due to lack of funding
The economy of Hawaii will never recover until the Legislature downsizes state government in keeping with state revenue, which is already downsized. Raising the general excise tax perpetuates the current mismatch.Support the Senate proposal.
E. Alvey Wright
Kailua
'Exporting' taxes to tourists won't work
I attended the big Economic Revitalization Task Force rally that the governor's people conducted on April 6 at the state Capitol. I stood right up there in front with Republican Sen. Sam Slom holding my "No New Taxes" sign. A few individuals came over to whisper, "Right on," to me.But the governor's speech gave me pause. He pointed out that much of the proposed new taxes would be "exported" to tourists, thereby relieving me (and you) from paying so much. Gosh. This was food for thought.
One of my neighbors owns a small business in Waikiki. Almost 100 percent of his revenues spring from tourists. Perhaps, with a little effort, I could "export" my family's electricity bill to him.
If I did, it really would not "hurt" him -- he would just raise prices at his store and, presto, I would have a bunch of faceless tourists handling my obligation to provide electricity for my family. Even better, the visitors wouldn't even know they were being used for this purpose.
Richard O. Rowland
Economic task force rally to raise taxes was vulgar
The controlled rally -- orchestrated by Governor Cayetano, labor and the Economic Revitalization Task Force -- was vulgar. Time off from work, furnished transportation, prepared signs, refreshments, illegal banners, stages and a professional sound system were only a few of the items used in this theatrical production. The usual liberal media covered it to the tune of more than 3,000 attendees.I have traveled all over this globe and can fairly say that this is the first time I have ever witnessed already overtaxed people in an impoverished economy, lemming-like, pleading, "Please raise my taxes!"
Richard M. Ernst
Aiea
Cayetano is trying to fool the public
The governor wants to raise the general excise tax now, but he promises to lower it in a few years, when and if the economy gets better.Yo, Ben. How dumb do you think we are?
Matthew Lanin
Kamuela, Hawaii
Iwase is condescending in his view of public
In your April 10 article, "Senate would cut 431 state workers," Sen. Randy Iwase unconsciously reveals a big part of what is wrong with Hawaii today. Arguing for a larger middle-class tax cut, he says, "We are not reinvesting back in our people as much as we could and should."Since when is letting people keep the money they earn reinvestment? Why should the government take money and then "give it back," like a parent doling out allowance to an irresponsible child?
Iwase's remarks, well-intentioned though they may be, belong in the dictionary under "paternalism."
Marc Beauchamp
Falls Church, Va.
(Via the Internet)
Economy is so poor that gambling is our only answer
Well, more people are losing their jobs on Oahu. Hawaii is in big trouble, so legistors need to do something ASAP.I hate to see it come to this but I think we need to bring gambling to the state. That will bring in more jobs. Sometimes you've got to take the good with the bad.
I was just in Las Vegas and it is booming. Many former Hawaii residents live in Las Vegas. So come on Legisture, let's do it.
Derek Stephens
Waianae
(Via the Internet)
Full text of the Governor's
Economic Task Force recommendations.
Baker and Fukunaga are doing good job in Senate
Many thanks to Sens. Rosalyn Baker and Carol Fukunaga for their critical look at government services, particularly the Department of Education bureaucracy. They have moved forward with the beginning of a plan for education, the economy and the welfare of children.I ask the Senate to take one more step. Not only do we need to weed out some educational officer positions, but we must also put those who remain back into the schools. These educational officers, deployed to the classrooms, can offer our children art, music, P.E., Hawaiian studies and all other enrichment that have been cut during the past 10 years.
The critical thinking encouraged by both Sens. Fukunaga and Baker is the kind of input we have needed. It is unfortunate that the male-dominated Economic Revitalization Task Force is still spending millions to push their tired old tax increase -- still trying to convince us that we are getting a gift.
Judy M. Sobin
Risk-takers should be made to pay for rescue
I have a comment about the extended search for the fisherman who ventured out to sea in a 17-foot craft despite the issuance of small-craft warnings.I sincerely hope they find him. And when he is back and safe, rescuers should give him the bill for all the expenses that tallied up in the attempt to find him.
If people are willing to take risks, against all the warnings, they should also assume the risks of having to pay for their adventures. Why should the rest of us taxpayers, who obey the danger signs, have to pay for those daretakers who may profit from their reckless deeds?
Raymond Chong
(Via the Internet)
Restore Natatorium arch, but not the pool
It is not sensible to rebuild a salt-water swimming pool which sits at the ocean's edge, as is being proposed. However, it makes obvious sense to restore the beautiful memorial arch wall, perhaps incorporating it and the aquarium into a new Magic Island type of project that would attract locals and visitors alike.You could probably find contractors and engineers who would donate their time to such a worthwhile cause. Surfers would love having better access to waves breaking on the outer reef, as they now do at Magic Island. And there would be no wrangling over how to make salt water legally safe for the five or 10 fanatics who really enjoy swimming in the stuff.
John M. Shubert
(Via the Internet)
Wild deer must not be allowed to establish
In response to your April 8 story about crop damage problems on Maui because of deer, our department has taken steps within our legal authority.We have opened the season on all Maui public hunting areas to allow hunters to take deer wherever they are encountered. We are especially concerned with the potential impact of deer on East Maui native rainforests, and are committed to keep any population of deer from establishing within these valuable watershed lands.
We do not, however, control hunting of deer on private lands and that is where the majority are. Hunting is allowed on private land with a valid license but only with the permission of the land owner.
We have routinely issued damage control permits, which allow affected farmers to control deer at any time. A farmer who has deer damage problems can immediately purchase a hunting license at any license vendor on Maui and hunt the deer during legal hunting hours. If the deer only come out at night, the farmer can request a damage control permit that will allow control work at night.
For information and assistance in obtaining these permits, call the Maui Division of Forestry and Wildlife office at 1-808-871-4210 or 1-808-984-8100.
Michael G. Buck
Administrator
Department of Land
and Natural Resources
Division of Forestry and Wildlife
State of Hawaii
Sovereignty for Hawaii might cause more problems
I have just read about Thurston Twigg-Smith's book, "Hawaiian Sovereignty: Do the Facts Matter?" and it once again brings up the question, "Should Hawaii be a sovereign nation?" In my opinion, no.Although the overthrow was proven illegal and even addressed in the 1993 Apology Resolution, I believe Hawaii is still better off having been annexed to the United States
Converting back to an independent nation could mean a lot of changes, including restructuring the economy and possible restructuring of the government. There are many questions to consider before making this decision.
If Hawaii didn't have the U.S. to rely upon economically for tourism and trade, where would it turn? The U.S. military also controls a lot of Hawaii's money. If military bases are no longer allowed in the islands, what would compensate for that loss?
These and many other questions should be answered before Hawaii jumps headfirst into sovereignty and makes, quite possibly, the biggest mistake of all time.
Kevin Fuji
Mililani High School
(Via the Internet)
Kawananakoa isn't avoiding a debate
In response to the April 8 letter by Reed Alexander, accusing state Rep. Quentin K. Kawananakoa of "avoiding a debate" with Rep. Gene Ward, I can verify that Quentin has not sought to avoid any debate with anybody.Unlike many others in this current Legislature, Quentin is focused on the job at hand -- representing his district and the Republican cause. For this reason, and to ensure no perception of a conflict of interest, he has repeatedly made it very clear that he will not campaign for Congress or have any fund-raisers while the Legislature is in session.
Honest government is the number one priority for Quentin, and he practices what he preaches.
Once the session is over, Mr. Alexander will see the debate he desires.
Todd Shigekane
Campaign Manager
Elect Kawananakoa Campaign
(Via the Internet)
Lingle is most impressive part of visit to Maui
Recently, I went to Maui on business. Everybody on Oahu and the other outer islands should try to get over there. I was so impressed with Maui Mayor Linda Lingle. Congratulations are in order for her.She is surely not asleep. The list is of good things going on over there is just too long and way over the 200-word limit for a letter to the editor.
Lingle is a very outstanding person and I only wish we had someone like her on Oahu before we sink into the ocean.
Von Dent
Aiea
(Via the Internet)
Lingle and Limbaugh have much in common
Maui Mayor Linda Lingle was apparently unable, unwilling and unprepared to respond intelligently and honestly to the question, "Are you a feminist?" (Changing Hawaii column, April 3).To make matters worse, she called herself a "humanist."
This is interesting because there is no observable evidence of "humanism" in her political philosophy, which is in the same ball park as Rush Limbaugh, and supporters billionaire David Murdock and California Gov. Pete Wilson.
Indeed, a "humanist" in the conservative Republican camp is like having a Huguenot in the Vatican.
The good mayor should get her philosophical house in order.
R. Harding Teves
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Letter to the Editor
