Why not let gays have same tax benefits?
Who is to say that gay marriage is a slap in the voters' face (
Letters, Feb. 9)? I for one do not, and yes, I am a voter.
If two people share a life together then why shouldn't they be able to benefit the same as a heterosexual couple? When you file taxes, if you can claim an individual as a dependent you still get the tax credit and the person does not need to be your relative. How is that different from a civil union?
I love my mahu friends and family as well, and I view them as no different than any other couple I see. Their sexual orientation should not disqualify them from receiving benefits they work hard for. They are taxpayers as well, right? Are these benefits meant to serve the majority of society only? If so, then it is tough luck for every mahu, queer and gay person everywhere.
Richard Ah Lee Sam
Honolulu
By any other name, it's still gay marriage
So Debi Hartmann and some legislators believe that homosexuals should
have the right to marry, but they won't have the right to use the word "marriage." What could be more denigrating to the institution of marriage than passing a law that essentially says that marriage is nothing more than a word?
In other words, Hartmann and some of our elected officials at the Capitol want to convince the people of Hawaii that a duck is a cat despite that it is in every way identical to a duck. It looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck -- but we're supposed to believe it's a cat. How stupid do these people think we are? Not only do they plan to denigrate the institution of marriage by saying it's nothing more than a word, but they're denigrating the intelligence of the people of Hawaii.
Cathy Tung
Waianae
Congress must refuse to pay for Iraq war
My husband was active-duty Army when he deployed to Iraq. It is excruciating to have a loved one in a war zone. When the war drums began to beat, our family dreaded the inevitable, unjust war. We protested then and we protest now: this senseless war must end.
Although many in Washington are congratulating themselves for signing on to binding/nonbinding resolutions, the fact remains that no resolution will end the war. Only refusal to approve the supplemental budget will end the war.
Some will argue that refusing to authorize additional funds will deny our troops the supplies they need. The truth is that the military has enough money from the $70 billion bridge request approved in September -- enough money to bring our soldiers and Marines home quickly and safely.
Congress has the power to draw this war to an end. Our senators and representatives need to hear from each of us. Congress can best support our brave troops by de-funding the war ... now!
Monica Evans
Military Families Speak Out -- Hawaii
Pedestrians should control their safety
With all the recent pedestrian accidents, it should be clear there's a problem. However, it seems that the general assumption is that drivers are always at fault.
In this matter, strengthening laws and stiffening penalties is a Band-Aid approach. It will do little to improve the situation if pedestrians do not also assume responsibility. It won't undo injuries or deaths. It won't bring back victims or ease the pain of the loved ones left behind. The simple reality is that size prevails, regardless of how many laws and penalties we enact. Pedestrians must be complicit in ensuring their own safety.
Our city is growing. We have more and more pedestrians and drivers every day. We must share our roadways and drive with aloha. Pedestrians also must do their part by obeying the traffic laws and exercising prudence. Please, when crossing the street, be conscious of drivers. Make eye contact with them. Be wary and don't assume that because the law gives you the right of way that a driver can or will stop. Be sure! It's a cliche, but the life you save might be your own.
Lisa Seng Dooling
Honolulu
Traffic lights evolving in bad direction
It's too bad that Darwin cannot expand his theory of evolution to include the evolution of the translation of traffic-light colors. Today, red still means stop and green still means go, but yellow now means go faster.
Royle Kaneshige
Honolulu