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There's a better way than pay-at-the-pump

I'm absolutely amazed that supposedly educated, thinking legislators would bring up that old pay-at-the-pump idea for automobile liability insurance again. Most mainland states require liability insurance and it's handled very simply:

The carrier notifies the state whenever insurance coverage is dropped.

The individual is unable to renew motor vehicle registration or obtain a safety check until coverage has been reinstated.

The state confiscates license plates when coverage hasn't been reinstated in a month.

No more uninsured cars on the road.

You can't tell me that it would cost too much or that the insurance carriers won't do it. It's common practice on the mainland, where insurance costs half or less of what it costs here.

What is the problem? It's very simple. I'm astounded that our state cannot get its act together and implement this. Why not?

Dianne Minter
Wahiawa

Two sides to story on property value hike

Your Dec. 20 edition headlined a story about 2 percent rise in Oahu's real property assessment. At first glance, this seemed like bad news. However, there was also the mitigating news that apartment assessments only went up 1 percent.

Being an avid reader, I next perused the Oahu property value map to find out more -- I am in the area that went up 3.1 percent in value. Meanwhile, inside the paper, I read about the spoilsport property owner in Lanikai with his 39 percent assessment increase, clearly, an anomaly.

This made me feel better until I read that Ben Lee, the city's managing director, "was ambivalent" about how this modest tax assessment increase would affect actual tax increases based on the, as yet, undecided tax rate per $1,000 of assessment.

By this time, I was certain that Lee was not on speaking terms with the guy who sends out the assessments or the other guy who conjures up changes in assessment.

Then came more news from Lee: "The numbers (higher assessments) are good for the real estate market." I took this to mean good news even though it seems clear that neither buyers nor sellers of real estate have been known to like higher taxes. But what do I know?

Finally, your good news/bad news report ended on a high note. If you are an anomaly, you can appeal your assessment if you make a vain trip downtown with $25 for the appeal form.

Maybe I should have voted for Mufi Hannemann.

Frank J. Kocsis

Quotables "The trauma of abuse in children's lives changes them forever. But the camps let them be children again." Bob Wilson CO-FOUNDER, CAMP FOR KIDS CAUGHT IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Explaining the benefits of the organization's camping trips for children living in domestic abuse shelters. As many as 45-65 children participate in the monthly campouts. "It's more fun! I'm not a patient person. I don't like waiting in line." Beverly Rosario WAIKIKI RESIDENT AND LAST-MINUTE CHRISTMAS SHOPPER Explaining that by Christmas Eve, when she did her purchasing, most people have completed their shopping, the stores are no longer crowded and the cost of merchandise has been marked down

Truman showed how to exit with class

The national news carried a story about President and Mrs. Clinton, and their plans for after they leave the White House.

It calls to mind the occasion of President and Mrs. Harry Truman leaving Washington, D.C., and going home to Missouri.

They took the train from Union Station.

When asked, later, what was the first thing he did upon returning to the family home in Independence, Mo., Truman replied, "I took the suitcases up to the attic."

He lived in that modest Victorian house until he died. And so did his widow, Bess.

We didn't expect anything else of this couple.

I must be getting to be a geezer, writing of such events. But maybe we geezers can give perspective. We certainly could have told you about stock market bubbles.

Happy holidays, everyone.

Beverly Kai

George W. Bush isn't president-elect

I read with interest the story about George W. Bush's meeting with Bill Clinton at the White House, and got to thinking: Just what exactly does one lame duck discuss with another?

Also, I think it would be best if the media quit referring to George W. as the president-elect. We all that know that is a serious misnomer.

Martin Rice
Kapaa, Kauai

Despite its flaws, U.S. is worth defending

I believe in this country and in our system of government. It may be flawed, but it is still better than any other form of government. As a veteran, I swore to protect the Constitution and this country against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

It is particularly disturbing to read such comments as, "Perhaps the time to throw off the yoke of oppressive government is now" (Star-Bulletin Letters, Dec. 22).

Rest assured, this combat veteran will take up arms against any form of insurrection to destroy a system protected by our Constitution. I know that I am not alone. There are others who will do anything for this country and who will be my comrades in arms.

Richard Wong
Aiea

Online edition makes visitors want to return

As an avid reader of the online edition -- a habit encouraged by several very enjoyable visits to your islands -- I am delighted that your publication will survive.

There is something about a good newspaper that makes interested visitors want to keep in touch with their experience and "demand" they make return visits.

I look forward to coming back to enjoy the real newspaper of Hawaii. To your employees, I say about the competition: Eat 'em!

Chris Mahoney
Dunedin, New Zealand

Bulletin shutdown archive

Water on military bases tastes terrible

As someone who lives on a military base in Hawaii, I know that letter writers such as Tina Dean (Star-Bulletin, Dec. 11) do not have all the facts straight about fluoridated water on military bases.

Hawaii's tap water is the best, purist and healthiest I've ever seen. Also, it tastes great.

By contrast, the water on the military bases is so bad it often tastes like water from a swimming pool. Expensive food service quality filters must be installed to make it more drinkable and usable for food preparation.

Do all of Hawaii residents want this? Do they want to be forced to buy and maintain these expensive water filters? Will the state government purchase filters for those who cannot afford them?

If children have bad teeth, blame it on lax parental care, not the fact that there is no fluoride in the water.

Ann Ruby

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