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Democrats are finally being held accountable

Recent letters to the editor seem to be from Hawaii residents who would be perfectly content if the Legislature proceed on a business-as-usual track.

Republican House members are fighting for the right to have issues debated and voted on so the public can know where our elected officials stand.

The Democrats refuse to discuss issues such as tax relief, protecting our children from sexual predators, drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation, and an elected attorney general.

Now that the Democrats have conceded the Republicans' right to recall, debate and vote on issues bottled up in committee, the public may finally get an answer to the age-old question politicians have always been asked: "Where do you stand on this issue?"

Micah A. Kane
Executive Director
Hawaii Republican Party

Democrats are intent on weakening local GOP

It's ironic that John Bickel, in his March 1 letter, would attempt to paint Linda Lingle as anti-reform when it comes to campaign finance reforms proposed by the Democrats. At every opportunity, the Democrats have passed changes that would weaken the Republicans.

In 1998, they passed the "Stop Lingle Bill," which reduced the amount a party could contribute to their candidates. For a representative race, it reduced the amount from $15,000 to $2,000.

Now the Democrats are finding Lingle continues to be successful at raising money like the $220,000 earned from the Lincoln Day Dinner. They now want to pass a bill that would "Stop Lingle And Other Republicans Too."

Since the Hawaii Democratic Party has not been able to raise similar amounts of funds, the Democrats have found other ways to finance campaigns.

Their soft money comes through the awarding of large non-bid contracts to campaign contributors' companies, and holding fundraisers during the legislative session so that lobbyists can buy up huge lots of tickets with no intent of attending. After all, they want their legislation passed by Democratic committee chairpersons.

If the Democrats really want campaign financing reform, make it fair to both parties so as to have a level playing field.

Garry P. Smith
Ewa Beach

Women were winners with defeat of bill

Your March 5 Political File showed Planned Parenthood as a winner in successfully defeating parental notification bill.

On behalf of the board of directors of Family Planning Centers of Hawaii, I wanted to point out that it is the young women of Hawaii who are the winners in the defeat of the parental notification bill.

Family Planning Centers of Hawaii worked with local women's organizations to defeat the parent-al notification bill. Our organization has been an independent statewide nonprofit since our affiliation with Planned Parenthood was severed in 1998.

Hawaii is one of a few states without any Planned Parenthood affiliate.

Barry Raff
Executive Director
Family Planning Centers of Hawaii

Quotables "Take care." Kazuo Nakata FATHER OF UWAJIMA HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER JUN NAKATA His last words to his son before Jun boarded the fishing/teaching vessel, the Ehime Maru, for what would be his fifth and final voyage "If something happens to the ship, Dad, I would let all the students go first. I would never escape before the students." Jun Nakata WHO IS STILL MISSING AND WHO PRESUMABLY WENT DOWN WITH THE EHIME MARU, AFTER IT WAS ACCIDENTALLY HIT AND SUNK BY THE NUCLEAR SUBMARINE, THE USS GREENEVILLE What the young man, perhaps in a premonition of sorts, told his father before boarding the ill-fated ship

Journey abroad brings appreciation for U.S.

I recently completed a business trip to Jakarta, where political unrest and tension still exist. While there is a democratic government in place at the present, political demonstrations continue.

Three years ago when our nation was so preoccupied with what President Clinton was doing in the Oval Office, tens of thousands of people in Indonesia were involved in riots in the streets.

During my visit, I was shocked to learn that the people there could not comprehend what it was like to be able to drink the water from our faucets.

Another astonishing thing I learned was how valuable our American dollar is. I went to a well-known bank that does business in the U.S. to exchange some dollars to the Indonesian rupiah. Posted on the wall, there were two rates for the U.S. dollar.

Since the Indonesian director was accompanying me, I asked, "Why are there two rates for the U.S. dollar?" I was told that if the money is brand new and does not have any marks, folds or creases on it, a higher rate is paid for it.

It's because the Indonesians view the dollar somewhat like how we look at gold. They want to hold onto it for safekeeping, as their own rupiah is valued against the American dollar.

This experience has recalibrated my crisis meter. Things that once looked almost catastrophic are now in check with reality. As the plane landed in Honolulu, I had to tell myself, "Thank God I am an American."

Alan Yuen

Steven Alm deserves to remain U.S. attorney

Steven S. Alm must be retained as U.S. attorney in Hawaii to maintain the momentum of positive working relations with all of law enforcement and for his crime-drug prevention vision.

The extracts of the Weed and Seed Program, according to Honolulu Police Department statistics, make me a believer in him. There has been a 75 percent reduction in Part I Crimes within Kalihi, Chinatown and Palama, and a 69 percent reduction in Part II Crimes in the same area.

He is the recipient of the 2001 Ola Pono Award and was recently inducted into the Joint Police Law Enforcement Hall of Fame, not to mention his extensive charitable and volunteer participation.

On Feb. 8, a letter by Ed Murphy attacked the U.S. Attorney's Office's "bullying tactics" regarding joint efforts by the Secret Service, FBI and HPD in raiding "novelty ID" shops in Waikiki.

Does Murphy realize that these shops that print "novelty identifications" cause substantial harm to businesses, individuals and the entire community? These fake IDs allow underage youths to purchase liquor and cigarettes with false identification. With these false cards, underaged youth also rent vehicles and attend "booze cruises," where alcohol is served.

Mr. Murphy, wake up! That raid was well worth every investigative dollar. The president should do what is right and retain Alm as U.S. attorney in a show of non-partisanship.

Kehaulani Costa
Aiea

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