Government workers get too much sick leave

Currently, state employees enjoy more than four weeks of sick leave every year. I don't know anyone outside of state or county government who gets that amount of sick leave. It is preposterous.

Although the unions fought hard for this benefit, it actually harms more workers than it helps. All it takes is for one employee in an office to consistently use all of his or her earned sick leave and that office is left short- staffed every month. This causes more work for other employees and leads to stress.

Some may argue that this can be taken care of by investigating sick leave abuse, but few supervisors have the time or the proof to support this. Any employee who uses four weeks of sick leave every year is probably too sick to be working anyway. Those who do warrant that much sick leave, however, can draw upon their ample vacation leave.

I urge our legislators and unions to please reduce the amount of sick leave for government workers, and to make it more in line with what the private sector allows.

Jeffrey Eldredge
State Employee
(Via the Internet)

'Yes' voters should be ashamed of themselves

Of all the elements making Hawaii such a magical place, the spirit of aloha is No. 1. It helps us not only to tolerate but to celebrate diversity. Yet on Nov. 3, the aloha spirit took a terrible beating in the voting booth.

In my childhood, I witnessed prejudice slaughter Jews in Nazi Germany.

In my teens, I witnessed prejudice horribly mistreat blacks in the South.

And on election day Nov. 3, I witnessed prejudice institutionalize discrimination in Hawaii.

Prejudice is ugly in all of its forms. In Hawaii, where we live and love aloha, prejudice is positively grotesque.

Shame on you, "yes" voters.

L. Richard Lloyd

Hawaii voters really blew it on the need for change

Hawaii has missed its window of opportunity in a critical election. The Democrats will continue to reign over the fiefdom.

So where do we go from here? More union domination, timid and no-guts politicians, dim prospects for an improved economy and an electorate that has struck out with the bases loaded.

It will take vastly more than a "wake-up" call for the changes needed to energize Hawaii.

Anthony Locascio

HMSA is railroading through its agenda

Hawaii has a new railroad that covers all islands. It is a highly profitable railroad, having a net profit of $1 million a week for the past two years, according to its own annual reports.

That railroad is the HMSA. For those who attended the special HMSA meeting on Nov. 2 at Dole Cannery, they know of what I am speaking.

Of the items that came up for a vote, even when the testimony was strongly against the amendment, the items always passed. It was after the vote to raise the number of members required to call a special membership meeting - from 100 to 3 percent (or 18,000 of its current 600,000 membership) - that I decided further attendance was futile. It should be pointed out that HMSA has never had a special meeting called by its members, so why the change?

There were several attempts to determine how many of those present were HMSA employees. All efforts were ruled "out of order." Interestingly, the person in back of me admitted under my direct questioning that she was an HMSA employee who was allowed time off from work. She stated that HMSA employees were to attend, in order to prevent any group from "stacking" the meeting.

It seems that if the meeting was "stacked," it was stacked by HMSA.

Walter Young

Red Cross gave comfort during hostage situation

When a Red Cross volunteer told us that the recent hostage situation was over, my wife and I were so overwhelmed with joy that we quickly gathered our things and dashed home to Pacific Palisades. We were anxious to be reunited with our daughter, who had been separated from us all of Thursday night and most of Friday.

Only after our emotions had subsided did we realize how selfishly we reacted. We failed to thank the members of the American Red Cross for the excellent service they provided all of us, who had no other alternative than to spend 20-plus hours at the Pearl City Recreation Center.

We were very impressed with how they were able to provide us with all the necessities we daily take for granted - hot food, water, blankets and even toothbrushes. To provide these to so many hundreds of people at three different shelters is mind-boggling. To do so with such professionalism, patience and friendliness made our night of anxiety very tolerable.

Maile and Clinton Tanimoto
Pearl City

Child support agency is doing a terrible job

I am totally frustrated with the Child Support Enforcement Agency and its "state-of-the-art" system. Attorney General Margery Bronster should clean her own backyard, as this agency falls under her jurisdiction.

This system is designed not to help custodial parents and their children, but to teach people how a typical state agency operates - which is within its own little square and no further.

This system was implemented in the early summer, but they are still trying to work the "bugs" out, I am told. They must have some pretty big bugs, because this system needs an overhaul. Thanks to modern technology, the system is automated. This means you cannot talk to a "live" person, although you have the option of mailing or faxing inquiries. If you do choose either of these methods, no one responds.

Your last alternative is to take time off from work, physically go the agency's office and still get the run-around. Once this has been "straightened out," the next challenge is actually getting any money. You are lucky if the support checks are sent at all. Sometimes they are "lost," sent elsewhere in error or are suspended in limbo.

Bronster should look at the system, because this bureaucracy isn't doing her department any justice.

Debra Kamalii
Kahului, Maui

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