Borrowing from fund takes a lot of faith

Faith-based politics should have been the title of your editorial, "Borrow, don't raid, hurricane fund" (Star-Bulletin, April 1).

Faith can be the only basis for accepting Andy Anderson's and Gov. Cayetano's plans for the Hurricane Relief Fund, for how can the "borrowing" ever be repaid, especially with interest?

Earmarking the money for education is a myth. Then the rest of the monies can be spent on other great projects and expansions of government like Vickygate and the traffic cameras, whose role in reducing deaths on the road is laughable.

Let us have faith that publishing the true facts about economy, as the Star-Bulletin has done so well, will enable the voters to rely on facts more than faith next November.

John Pearson
Kailua

Ousting legislators will save money

Do we really want to close the public libraries? Let's cut out what's really costly and appears to perpetuate greater expense annually with little noticeable benefit. What could that be? Why, it's the state Legislature, which is poised to raid your Hurricane Relief Fund.

If any others tried to do something like that, they would face criminal charges. Remember the former policemen who allegedly took funds for prisoners' food and spent it on food for themselves? Nobody told the prisoners they were paying into a fund that should provide them with deluxe meals, and they probably didn't even notice the difference. But homeowners were told by legislators that they needed to pay into a fund in case of hurricane damage. This was a deception by trusted legislators who are apparently just trying to cover up their ineptness in office and save face.

Say they do take the Hurricane Relief Fund. What happens next year when they are out of money? What's to stop them from raiding taxpayers' savings accounts? We may want to consider a unicameral legislature, or voters can give each county the power to use its City Councils to manage the affairs formerly handled by the state Legislature. I'll bet that balances the budget.

Ron Rhetrik
Mililani

Protester tries to force his beliefs on others

The hypocrisy of Mitch Kahle and his misguided group of followers never ceases to amaze me. His recent protesting of Good Friday being a state holiday is just more evidence of him saving us from one "religion" by forcing us to follow his, through his attempts to force our government to follow what he believes.

Read the Constitution, Mitch. Our country was founded by God-fearing, churchgoing men. Nowhere does it mention separation of church and state. Like it or not, our country was founded on biblical principles, and it was this belief that allowed us to rise to the place in history that we have been blessed with.

No other country has achieved what we have, and like it or not, it was largely because of our faith in God and having our country's guiding principles based on a truth that is bigger than any of us.

Try living overseas and see if anybody complains about having Good Friday as a holiday. Our Constitution gives you the freedom of speech but not the freedom to impose your beliefs through intimidation of our public officials. Nobody is forcing you to be an American. When you're tired of the rights, responsibilities and benefits of it, you're free to leave.

Matt Smith
Waipahu

Hawaii's high places could boost economy

Last Sunday's Star-Bulletin headline was a real downer ("Hawaii lags in ability to compete," March 24). The accompanying article cited a number of negatives and a few positives. Hawaii ranks 39 of 50 in research funds. We can do better.

Our University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy can attract outstanding astronomers and increased grants from mainland and international sources. Why? Because we have the finest locations in the world for astronomy: Mauna Kea and Haleakala. Thus, we have a ready resource and partial solution to our economic problems at hand. What is needed is a real push to make the best use of these locations now and in the future.

Astronomy is one of the new frontiers, and Hawaii can be a lead player. Do we have the courage to seize our opportunity? Let's make it so.

Philip M. Whitney Jr.

Planning to run isn't the same as running

This seems to be the silly season for judicial opinions. One example is the decision that the "resign to run" provision of the Constitution is really a "resign to plan to run" requirement. Judge McKenna cited Mayor Harris's announcement that he would run and his submittal of an organizational report to the Campaign Spending Commission as indications that he planned to run. And that, she decided, violated the Constitution.

Planning to run is one thing; running for office is quite another. Practically every elected official is continually planning his next run for office. Are those thoughts or plans constitutionally prohibited if the terms overlap?

This makes about as much sense as the traffic-court judges' ruling that state speed-limit signs are merely "speed suggestions" and are not enforceable until an exceedance reaches at least 10 miles per hour. I guess this means that the Department of Transportation will have to change all the speed-limit signs by subtracting nine miles per hour to ensure that safe speeds are maintained in school zones and elsewhere.

I trust we soon will see both of these weird opinions overruled by a higher and more competent authority.

Dick O'Connell

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Letter guidelines The Star-Bulletin welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point on issues of public interest. The Star-Bulletin reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed, must include a mailing address and daytime telephone number. Letter form: Online form, click here E-mail: letters@starbulletin.com Fax: (808) 529-4750 Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813