State-funded campaigns are not a good idea

I just received a lengthy newsletter called "HI.CLEAN News" from a group named HI.CLEAN, which advocates campaign finance reform. I commend their efforts to clean up the election process, but not their ideas.

This group advocates taxpayer-funded campaigns and calls government-supplied funding "clean money." Does this mean that money voluntarily contributed to campaigns is dirty money?

Not in my dictionary. Money taken by force through taxation and given to candidates that the individual taxpayer opposes is indeed dirty money.

Campaign spending reform is simple: Drastically reduce the power and money of big government and the special-interest funding will subside. Government funding of candidates is a bad idea.

Larry Bartley
Kailua
(Via the Internet)

Maile teachers are good at coming up with excuses

There is no excuse for the hot, dusty conditions at Maile Elementary. Having said that, let's look back at Maile's declining SAT scores over the past years.

Assuming the miserable environment is about the same as earlier in the decade, we can't say that the children aren't learning because of the unacceptable environment. We can say, however, that as teacher retention increased at Maile, SAT scores decreased.

The problem is this: The school's staff works harder at coming up with excuses for the inexcusable SAT scores than it does at looking at the root of the problem.

Maile staffers believes that children must come from perfect family environments and attend classes in a "Barney" atmosphere in order to learn. Not so. Countless people have learned well in spite of disagreeable environments.

Maile kids deserve comfortable classrooms. But air conditioning can't fix the abysmal SAT scores.

The DOE must re-examine the teaching methods prescribed by the University of Hawaii. When unproved methods are discarded, and when teachers acquire a "can-do" attitude, there will be marked improvement at Maile Elementary.

Bonnie Kidd

Professors should butt out of Lingle's future employment

So, it is bad ethics for Linda Lingle to use a job in journalism to keep her ideas "out there." If so, what are the ethical implications of the governor, lieutenant governor and all the Democratic legislators doing the same thing while being paid by the taxpayers?

Incumbents have always been able to command media attention to get their message out without paying a penny for it. At least Lingle would be doing it from a position of greater integrity -- paid employment in the private sector.

When journalism professors raise the specter of potential ethics problems, is it nothing more than an effort to silence ideas? Shouldn't journalism professors be more concerned about free speech?

Michael Cregge
Fairfax Station, Va.
(Via the Internet)

Unions simply protect the rights of workers

Well, now that you have had your say at bashing union workers, let's offer a broader perspective. It's not that union workers have too many benefits but rather: 1) non-union workers do not have enough and 2) by comparison, union workers in the U.S. still have not attained parity with European workers.

The tenor of your discussion was that we are brought into this life to serve the interests of those controlling the means of production. How? You seek to reduce benefits and vacations, as if leisure is unnecessary and as if we do not need more time with family, recreation, culture, the arts. You also fail to factor in the time of commute as part of the work day.

Much of Europe receives cradle-to- grave health care and six weeks of annual vacation, while some industries are moving toward 35-hour work weeks. This is what all American workers ought to be working for -- not the reduction of vacation and sick leave and puny social benefits.

William J. King
(Via the Internet)

Privatization is key to a stronger economy

Yes, Governor Cayetano, we want jobs and a better economy. We need changes in government attitudes and you are the one who can make our lives better. Therefore:

Privatize public-works jobs. Let small-business companies submit bids to perform government work. The bidding process means government will get the best product for the lowest tax dollar amount. And young people now leaving Hawaii may change their minds and remain in Hawaii to be part-owner of a small business. Remember, a small business today can become a middle-sized or even a big business someday.

Don't spend tax dollars on projects (like the Hawaii Convention Center) that private companies are willing to build. Their money and the yearly property tax payments improve our economy. The tax dollars saved could be circulated through the economy to create more jobs.

Governor, congratulations on your re-election victory. Now keep your word and lead the way.

Roy M. Iwamoto

Women and girls have come a long way, baby

In Colonial America, most girls were kept at home to learn how to cook, clean the house and do the laundry. Once they were grown, they also learned how to take care of a husband.

In fact, things were so bad for my female ancestors that, on Oct. 28, 1886, they were not allowed to go to the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty. And, it wasn't until 1919 that women were granted the right to vote nationally.

On Nov. 3, I did my civic duty as an American citizen and voted in Kids Voting. Being that I am a young female, it wasn't a right that I took lightly. I am just so happy that we are not living in Colonial America, and that we girls can be educated to become lawyers and doctors and be anything we want to be.

Ayesha Shepherd
Grade 4
Sacred Hearts Academy

Consequences of killing Saddam should be analyzed

Saddam Hussein cried wolf again. Nothing happened. Looking at the big picture in the balance of power in the Middle East, had the U.S. hit Iraq, would it tip the balance in Iran's favor? Is Iran, then, a bigger threat? Should the U.S. put more effort into eliminating Hussein internally?

Will his death bring about an Iran less threatening to peace, or will another "strong man" emerge with similar objectives as Hussein?

It would be enlightening for an outstanding and reputable military analyst to share his analysis on these and other important questions on the situation in the Middle East at this critical time.

How Tim Chang

Same-sex roommates should get benefits, too

There are many same-sex couples, like college students and others who have limited funds, who are "straights" but who are good friends and live together to share expenses.

Aren't these "domestic partnerships?" They should be eligible for financial benefits too, even if they do not have sex with each other.

Ted Chernin

Homosexuals continue quest for 'marriage'

On Nov. 3, the people of Hawaii spoke loudly and clearly that they do not want same-sex unions recognized or approved by our Hawaii government.

But on Nov. 10, on the Fox News Network, Joseph Melillo -- one half of the homosexual couple responsible for the Hawaii legal challenge to traditional marriage -- directly defied the will of the people by saying that "gay marriage will get passed; it's far from finished; we're not through yet!"

Melillo declared that Hawaii will have gay marriage under the different name of "domestic partnerships," with perhaps the traditional term "marriage" applied only to church ceremonies. In other words, victory by subterfuge!

Same-sex marriage by any other name, whether called "domestic partnership" or something else, is still same-sex marriage. This would be a direct betrayal of the heartfelt concerns expressed by nearly 70 percent of our residents, who do not feel it is the business of government to put a "seal of approval" on homosexual behavior.

Garret T. Hashimoto

President,

Hawaii Christian Coalition

Cayetano's true colors come out after victory

Governor Cayetano states that he will put forward a bill to extend marriage-like benefits to same-sex couples.

Cayetano says he wants to help Hawaii's state economy, but then he turns around and wants to place an additional economic burden on all taxpayers to provide those benefits to state and county workers and to force small-business owners to also provide those benefits.

Cayetano's true, deceitful colors came out the day after the election. If he had told the electorate that he would be supporting same-sex benefits in the Legislature, I doubt that he would have been re-elected.

Noboru and Marti Morishige
Keeau, Hawaii

Incumbent's win results in business as usual

Nov. 3 was the economical equivalent of Dec. 7, 1941. Shame on those who denied a future to Hawaii's children. How many more must leave to find jobs? How many more bankruptcies must be filed? How many more will go on the welfare rolls? How many more homeless?

Election day was Hawaii's big chance to show the nation and the world that "we are open for business." Instead, it is "business as usual."

Did you notice that Cayetano's first new "idea" was to provide domestic partnership benefits? He did not say, "Let's improve the economy," or "Let's provide more jobs," or "Let's attract new business." The first thing he offered will cost businesses and government more money.

Hawaii literally blew its one big opportunity. Congratulations to the machine.

Ann Ruby

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