Gov should give money to the homeless

I was amazed to see that our governor has suggested returning $300 million to the residents of this state (Star-Bulletin, Dec. 20). That's less than the price of a hamburger per person. Does she think this will make us grateful enough to vote for her in the next election?

By contrast, $300 million in the governor's hands could accomplish miracles in this state. That kind of money could build enough living space to house some 600 homeless families and allow their rent to be merely the upkeep costs plus utilities.

That would be enough low-rent housing to come close to solving the problem of homelessness in this state. If she would consider taking that kind of action, she could have a landslide election victory and I would work to help her.

It's shaming that re-election seems more important than serving the needs of the state.

UH fans, property owners had bad year

The year 2005 was not such a good year for the majority of the people of this state. First is the issue of the sudden drastic rise in the property tax for homeowners. Without any rebuttal to attempt to ease the burden of those affected, it makes it mandatory for the voters to oust the members of the City Council and legislators who are not taking any action.

The second reason for a miserable 2005 concerns the attitude of the decision-making authorities of the Aloha Stadium and the University of Hawaii. They are making it harder and harder each year for the average football fan to attend live UH football games. How can they be immune to the uproar of fans; it could be that they couldn't care less about the average sports fan and the attendance as long as revenue is derived from pay-for-view customers and high-paying box seats paid by sponsors and business people.

Property exemption should be adjusted

Every homeowner should contact their representatives and appeal their 2006 assessed property value due to the City and County of Honolulu denying Hawaii residents a vote or hearing on a bill to increase the $40,000 basic home exemption amount deducted from the assessed property value. The current $40,000 exemption has not been changed since 1990 and does not meet the intent of the home tax exemption law enacted in 1896 by the Republic of Hawaii to provide tax relief to homeowners.

In April 1992, City Councilman Andy Mirikitani introduced Bill 93 to increase the basic home exemption from $40,000 to $110,000. In June 1992, Bill 93 was adopted and referred to the Budget and Finance Committee and filed pursuant to Ordinance No. 87-39.

Don't cut our taxes -- cut the politicians

I have a suggestion: Before we cut taxes, we should cut the politicians who think the people's (our) money is theirs and they can do anything they want with indifference and impunity. We should start cutting with King Mufi and President Bobby and go on down the line.

Enough is enough.

Pot prohibition creates meth abuse problem

I'm writing about your thoughtful editorial "Meth ingredient needs national limits" (Dec. 19). I submit that the vast majority of drug users would use only marijuana if it were available at an affordable price. But it is not available at an affordable price. During the early 1970s marijuana sold for $10 to $20 an ounce. Now it sells for about $300 an ounce.

Today's price of marijuana is the result of the "prohibition tax," which goes to organized criminals -- the government gets nothing.

If a beer drinker cannot get any beer, he switches to another type of alcoholic beverage. If a marijuana user cannot obtain marijuana at an affordable price, many switch to other drugs like meth or "ice." And because marijuana is illegal, it is sold only by criminals -- criminals who often sell other drugs like meth.

And their marijuana suppliers often give out free samples of other drugs like meth, creating the so-called "gateway effect."

If marijuana were legally available in licensed establishments like tobacco and alcohol are, our meth problem would be a tiny fraction of what it is today.