Illegal aliens don't contribute to economy
Contrary to all the phony hype, illegal aliens do not contribute to the U.S. economy. This country was built on the backs of legal immigrants who entered legally and paid their taxes due.
Illegal aliens work for cash only, using phony identifications (if they possess one) and therefore do not pay taxes.
An underground economy is detrimental to the U.S. economy because an underground economy does not pay taxes. An underground economy is much like the underworld of the Mafia and is no different. Revenue is generated but no taxes are paid.
Lately, I have been seeing an increased number of illegal aliens who are homeless. Young males and especially females in their early 20s. What gives?
Just another drain on Hawaii's assets, I guess.
Jay Tomokiyo
Holualoa, Hawaii
Watch out for them -- they're watching you
If you like surprises, you must have loved finding out that the Bush administration has been keeping records of every phone call made in the United States. And from that database, calls were selected to monitor, all without probable cause or a warrant!
Even though it's against the law, many citizens think it's OK since they think they aren't doing anything wrong. But what if the government knows everything you've been doing? Just from phone conversations, you ask?
If you didn't imagine your phone world becoming public, maybe you haven't considered a camera inside your TV, observing your reaction to the falling presidential poll numbers, like "Candid Camera." And when you escape to the bedroom, the camera in the overhead light or the one behind the fixed mirror in the bathroom could make you a star!
If these videos are needed in litigation or interrogation, they're kept with copies of your mail, e-mail, bank, credit card, medical and your personal records.
Imagine the president knowing what you did last summer and most other days, doing stuff you're not proud of. Could "the Decider" then persuade you to support legislation and candidates that further his agenda?
Ron Rhetrik
Mililani
Relax -- tax dollars don't pay Wie's salary
Concerning Gary Lum's
May 13 letter, "Why value golfers more than teachers?": The reason the 16-year-old Michelle Wie makes $10 million-plus per year is because she is being compensated by private industry.
Our schoolteachers, police and firefighters make $40,000 to $60,000 per year (if lucky) because they are government employees. Don't blame "society" for rewarding the exceptional skill, beauty and timing of a once-in-a-lifetime "phenom" like Michelle Wie.
Any legitimate business would love to have her as its standard bearer. Her breathtaking talent, movie-star looks and wholesomeness shine through to sell products to a wide spectrum of consumers.
If you want to blame someone, blame politically driven compensatory evaluations for your understandable dilemma. My career choices in life have given me personal insight on both sides of the issue at hand.
Jimmy Borges
Entertainer
Honolulu police commissioner
Well-intended laws can't save pedestrians
One recent morning, I was crossing Punchbowl Street at Vineyard. I had the green and walk lights. However, I noticed a speeding pickup running the red light, heading right for me. Even though I had the legal right of way, I decided to yield to this scofflaw.
The other day, I was driving on King Street and stopped to yield to a pedestrian in the crosswalk. He waved me on and I waved him on. He stubbornly refused to budge. We could still be there waving to each other, but I chose to risk a stiff fine and losing my license and proceeded through the crosswalk.
Legislation gives the pedestrian the right of way, but natural law dictates that a wise pedestrian will always yield to an automobile anyway. The consequences for failing to yield are much more severe for a pedestrian than for a motorist. The pedestrian risks death or paralysis while the motorist risks, at most, five years in prison for negligent homicide.
Natural law requires that pedestrians yield to automobiles. The best way to protect pedestrians is to recognize natural law and repeal laws requiring motorists to yield to pedestrians. The surest way to get killed is to rely upon the Legislature to protect you.
Walter Schoettle
Honolulu
Story about hip hop glorified vandals
The Star-Bulletin story on "Hip Hop Hawaii" (
May 9) gives us a glimpse into a culture that few people in Hawaii understand. It also does something for which every Hawaii resident should be outraged -- it glorifies graffiti. Freedom of speech, artistic expression, individual rights -- all notwithstanding, graffiti on public property or someone else's private property is a crime. Moreover, it is an expression of disrespect to whatever property is defaced and whoever has to look at it. It is a blight on our community.
It's too bad that the Star-Bulletin chose to promote an activity that makes our neighborhoods, cities and state look more like every other low-class urban area in the world, and less like paradise.
Bob Loy
Director of Environmental Programs
The Outdoor Circle
Graffiti makers have no respect for islands
When I first came to Hawaii 12 years ago, I was shocked by the amount of
graffiti ruining the urban areas of Honolulu. As I moved around the island of Oahu, I noticed how widespread the problem is.
Stop at any bus stop and you will see it covered with indecipherable lettering and profanity. Go into public bathrooms at our beaches an parks or simply drive by construction sites and you will see graffiti thrown up on the walls and on the sides of privately owned trucks and equipment. Many public schools are covered in so much graffiti you would think you are in Los Angeles or New York.
Why do these young people do this? They have no respect for their home. They have no respect or pride in their islands or the aina. And why do they lack such pride? Because they are not taught to have pride in their homeland. A lot of lip service is given to "Hawaiian pride" and "island pride." But such pride begins in taking care of your land and keeping your land clean and free of graffiti and litter.
Blaming tourists is ridiculous when you drive through Kalihi or Kaneohe or Waipahu, areas not frequented by tourists. We have to teach our young people to respect, love and preserve their homeland if it is to survive.
Shawn Lathrop
Kaneohe
Beautiful Oahu keeps visitor coming back
I have been coming to Hawaii for many years, and next month will be my 34th time. I am not rich by any means, but I am careful with the money I earn and I spend it on my trips to paradise. I can't tell you enough how much I love and adore Oahu and its people. I have met so many wonderful local people and make new friends each time I come over.
I feel like Oahu is my second home. I guess it's because I was born on an island (England). I work for a doctor here in Phoenix, and I always bring the patients the beautiful calendars from Hawaii. I tell them all about Hawaii, and I give them brochures. I really should have been a travel agent!
I plan to be there again on June 2, and I know it will be just as wonderful as the first time.
Jennifer Lingo
Phoenix, Ariz.
Frequent visitor