No GET, federal funds for non-rail transit

I read with amusement the article about the “;new”; transit plan that Ann Kobayashi and Panos Prevedouros say they will unveil soon (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 1).

Here's my prediction: After insisting for the past two years that the Dutch bus system she favors is not merely a bus system but a “;rubber on concrete”; train, Kobayashi will now insist that it is a bus system.

Prevedouros, leader of the Hawaii Highway Users Alliance (a group of taxi and tour bus companies and other special interests that lobby for more highways), will say the Dutch buses can operate on the toll road he has long proposed.

They will both neglect to mention that the general excise tax surcharge approved by the Legislature cannot be used to fund a toll road. And, of course, none of this would qualify for the federal funding that's waiting for a modern steel-on-steel rail system.

This whole thing has become so ridiculous. It's time to start asking Kobayashi some real questions.

Are leading candidates afraid of Nader?

Every four years, when election time comes around, I am utterly amazed that the only candidates given a platform are the two main party nominees. What ever happened to democracy? Ralph Nader is running on the Independent Party ticket and his name is on the ballots in about 45 states, including Hawaii, but he is not allowed to take part in any debates. Are the two main candidates afraid of what he has to say? He is the only one who espouses policies that would benefit the American voters: corporate reform (needed more than ever), universal health care and ending all the pre-emptive wars that have caused so much harm in blood, the economy and the respect of world nations.

Pelosi somehow made glass ceiling thicker

In contrast to a treacly bid for sympathy by Bush-bashing, Reagan-bashing contributor Jerome G. Manis, Paul Mossman (Letters, Sep. 28) correctly notes, “;Congress cannot be absolved from its contribution to the present crisis.”;

The House of Representatives wields enormous constitutionally derived power directly affecting our economy in matters of taxing and spending. That's why our Founders made representatives especially accountable, requiring them all to face re-election every two years.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi will not be able to walk unscathed away from the economic debacle that's occurred on her watch.

Perhaps the most critical task of her organization is the passing of 13 essential appropriations bills to fund government operations each new fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. Under Pelosi's daffy “;leadership”; the 110th Congress failed to meet the deadline for the current fiscal year and now has not yet even been able to craft an ad hoc make-do continuing resolution in preparation for Fiscal Year 2009.

Indeed Pelosi's ditzy performance might well thicken the glass ceiling, sharply reducing women's congressional leadership opportunities for decades to come.

Obama won't hold up to voters' scrutiny

I enjoyed the ”;According to Joe”; article titled “;The right stuff”; posted on Sept. 19.

Barack Obama is a smooth talker, but how does he plan to achieve his goals? The only option I see to make the United States better, through Obama's plan, is to increase taxes. Americans need lower taxes.

One big problem is the value of our American dollar. Obama plans to “;jump-start the economy”; by injecting $50 billion into our economy. That will take the value of the dollar and stretch it to an even lower value. That will increase prices, which will make the cost of living even higher and harder to afford for the people Obama is trying to help.

I do not think that Obama would stand against the scrutiny of others, because his arguments are shallow. This next election will be a very important time for the people of America to be wise in their voting.

Dreams of Hawaii endure over the years

Here I am, in Tampa Bay, Fla., listening to beautiful Hawaiian music and reminiscing to Don Ho singing “;I'll Remember You,”; how appropriate to remember the many years of happiness living in “;paradise”; from 1962-1985 ... raising two beautiful daughters, Joany and Debbie Goodwin, enjoying the people, the beauty and the aloha of this most magical place in the world.

Someday I hope to pen my memoirs. My first glimpse of Hawaii was back in 1947, as white Russians immigrating from Shanghai, China, to America. Our ship docked in Honolulu, and while touring Oahu, I thought I had died and arrived in heaven.

In 1962, my dreams of returning were realized when the Navy transferred us to Oahu. While raising our daughters, we were blessed to meet the many wonderfully kind and compassionate people who will always remain in our hearts.

We are winging our way on Oct 1 to be in Kailua-Kona with our daughter, Debbie, where it will be “;Christmas in October. Can't wait to smell the flowers, look for the rainbows, the velvet mountains and the spectacular sunsets.

God has truly blessed and saved Hawaii as his most beautiful masterpiece ... Hawaii no ka oi!