Budget fiasco should spark revolt at polls

Gubernatorial candidate Ed Case is absolutely correct in noting our legislators' complete disregard for a first principle of accounting -- matching expenses with revenues.

The criminality of Enron's false accounting pales in comparison with the sweeping, multimillion-dollar mis-accounting occurring in our state budgeting. The major difference is that our elected officials are exempt from any suit of liability for this kind of malfeasance.

Hawaii's appalling voter apathy reflects the deep despair among our populace, mirroring the sentiments of the Filipinos just before the "People Power" revolution. The status quo maintenance of an oversized government and over-regulated economy is the fundamental cause for our economy being the worst in the nation. If there is no revolution at the polls in November, it will be due to the opposition not boldly stating our situation as it really is.

Gene Dumaran

City job cuts should start at the top

So 146 city employees might lose their jobs. So what? A lot of people do. But the cutting should start at the top with Managing Director Ben Lee and other politically appointed department heads and their assistants, plus some of the City Council's staff and maybe the city budget director.

Carl R. Lyman

Council members need dose of truth serum

What is it with Honolulu City Council members? Is it some kind of virus that infects them and makes them lie and cheat?

Now comes the most recently elected neophyte, Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, who denies lobbying Councilman Steve Holmes for the Fresh Start program along with the program's founder for $500,000 only 10 months ago at his office.

When confronted with her signature noting the date of her visitation, she said, "I must have been at that meeting, but I have no recollection at all."

This is like Jon Yoshimura's "I thought I hit a pole" response when he knew he had hit a car.

The solution? Fumigate all the offices of the Council members to get rid of that virus.

Hank McKeague

All 'Irish-Koreans' please stand up

John Flanagan's April 21 column regarding family surnames was hilarious. I read it again the following morning and had a good laugh. Did he actually count all of those Dela Cruzes in the phone book?

My husband bought a book titled, "The World Book of Hincheys." It lists all of the Hincheys taken from computer sources according to state and country.

My married name, Glenda Hinchey, is Irish through and through. However, being Korean, I believe I am the only Glenda CHUNG Hinchey in the world. If anyone finds out otherwise, please let me know.

Glenda Chung Hinchey

BRT will cause expensive traffic jam

Is it possible that the city is contemplating closing off two of four lanes of traffic in busy Honolulu to accommodate a new boondoggle -- bus rapid transit -- to the tune of $1 billion?

The city cannot find funds for the budget without laying off workers and yet it proposes something like this, which may cause more gridlock. Hopefully the City Council reviews this critically and stops it before our taxes are wasted again on an ill-thought plan. Whoever becomes the next mayor should get rid of the present city transit department.

The Harris administration has spent money profligately, and who pays for this? We, the taxpayer, who are saddled with higher taxes and debts that future generations will have to pay. I sincerely hope voters will have the courage to choose persons with fiscal integrity in the next election and get rid of free-spending politicians on both the state and city levels.

Anneliese Chun

BRT system will make city more livable

Many critics of the bus rapid transit system in Honolulu insist that we should focus attention on improving conditions for the automobile, and not for providing an expensive transit system that serves a smaller proportion of commuters. But improving things for the car will only increase traffic, with no net gain in quality of life. By providing a convenient alternative to the automobile, we are at least helping to create a more livable city.

Although all cross-sections of society use our transit system, those with the lowest incomes in our society are helped the most. With a transit alternative, minimum wages go farther, and the marginally employed have more money for other necessities. Directly or indirectly, we all benefit.

Even most critics of the BRT plan agree that an improved transit system is desirable; they just don't want it in their backyard or paid for with money from their pocketbooks.

The BRT plan for Honolulu is a good one with a lot of thought and logic behind it. It makes sense to start in the urban core with BRT and work our way beyond. It is the way to make it a vital system integrated within our city fabric. Let's do something positive for the quality of life in our city.

Richard Quinn

Mansho didn't put on airs to impress others

I refer to your article, "Where Rene Went Wrong?" in your Sunday Insight section April 21.

I was once on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu in September and was sitting in tourist class in the seat behind Rene Mansho. During the first part of the flight, a flight attendant, who obviously recognized Mansho, came to tell her there was a seat in first-class if she'd care to move up.

Rene's answer was, "Thank you very much, but I am just fine where I am." I was impressed.

Norma J. Nicholl

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