Island voters continue to want change
I was glad to see some incumbents ousted from office after the primary election. It clearly shows that the people of Hawaii want change. We are sending a clear message to all our public officials: Break our trust and we will vote you out. The power is slowly shifting from the unions to the people.Now with the general election coming up in a few weeks, we all need to get to the polls and vote. We need to make wise and informed decisions when we vote. If we want change to come, we must hold our elected officials accountable for what they promised to do.
Aiea
Governor isn't fair to union members
I read the article about the Hawaii Government Employees Association taking aim at Linda Lingle. The governor states that the HGEA is not looking out for the good of the state. I need to remind her that this organization is supposed to look after the welfare of its members. Isn't that what every union is supposed to do? Even the ones who endorsed her?I think the reason the union is trying to get supportive legislators into office, be they Democrats or Republicans, is because without them, the members would not be getting a fair shake with her.
Prior to her election, she approached HGEA to get an endorsement. During the interview process, she told members present that she would always be fair. Well, she did veto the negotiated contract decision that was rendered, after telling members that she supported the process. She followed it up with a letter to state workers that she offered a 4 percent raise. The offer was never presented to the negotiating teams; it was never a subject of discussion.
How can the union sit by and not try to protect its members? Lingle has not yet demonstrated her willingness to be honest and fair.
Honolulu
Bush struck out in the final debate
In baseball, it's three strikes and you're out. In Wednesday's debate, George Bush struck out by not answering the questions on increasing the minimum wage, preserving a woman's right to choose and reducing the budget deficit.In the World Series of Debates, John Kerry stepped up to the plate and batted 3-for-3 by answering all the questions honestly and candidly. He's getting my vote, and he's going to be the next president of the United States.
Pearl City
Hawaii's voters won't judge on looks
I would like to address state Democratic leader Sen. Colleen Hanabusa's comment in the Star-Bulletin ("Isle debate reaction follows party lines," Oct. 14). According to the article, she said, "Kerry appeared more presidential, which should guarantee that he will carry Hawaii in the Nov. 2 election."I was incredibly offended by the comment. Does the senator really believe that the people of Hawaii are so shallow we would base our decision merely on a candidate's looks? Perhaps that may be her criteria for voting, but I believe that Hawaii's voters are savvy enough to be looking at the issues. The role of the president is not one that we should take so lightly as to leave it up to who was more "striking" in "the contrast of them side by side" as Hanabusa seems to suggest.
If you will be voting Nov. 2, know the issues and where the candidates stand. Be confident that the man you are voting for this election year will be one who stands up for your convictions and for our country, not one who looks good but has only air in the head.
Honolulu
Bush policies created fiscal disaster
President George W. Bush turned a $5.6 trillion surplus into a $2.8 trillion deficit, according to the Congressional Budget Office.Bush's irresponsible spending and reckless tax schemes have put our future at risk. And in a second Bush term, it would be even worse. Bush has proposed giveaways that would increase the deficit by $6 trillion during the next four years.
Sen. John Kerry has a long record of fighting for balanced budgets and a plan to bring fiscal responsibility back to Washington. He'll roll back the Bush tax giveaways to the super wealthy while cutting taxes for 98 percent of Americans. He'll restrain spending and grow the economy with targeted tax cuts and a plan to create jobs and keep them in America.
This November, we have a choice between four years of failed policies or a new direction for our country. I'm choosing John Kerry.
Waianae
Campaign prattle drives voters batty
Enough already! I can't take it any more! Let's get this election over with. Is it just me or are others sick and tired of politics? It's like watching the same lame television rerun over and over and over again.I know what John Kerry and George Bush are going to say before they say it because they say the same thing over and over again. They sound like my mother when I was a kid.
I can't read anything about Mufi Hannemann or Duke Bainum that isn't about the sewer system or traffic. OK, OK for the billionth time, you'll fix it because only you and nobody else in the whole world has the ideas or work ethic or honesty or blah, blah, blah to do it.
Here is my suggestion. Four weeks. Everyone gets four weeks to campaign. Any voter who can't figure out who to vote for after listening to four weeks of the same babble over and over again shouldn't be allowed to vote. In fact, they shouldn't be allowed to have children or a car.
Please help me, I can't take this any longer.
Kapolei
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