Candidates, please say something believable
I can't wait for the election to be over. The mainland style of shibai in the lieutenant governor candidates' commercials is just too much at times. Can't the candidates just say, "I am going to be da best lieutenant governor 'cause I can move the Senate and House. I am going to testify at committee hearings so that the governor's plan for change is implemented. Of the two candidates, I da the one best at testifying in making change for da better."Good luck, Matt and Duke.
Bob Brennan
Good reasons to vote 'yes' on amendments
I'm voting "yes" on ballot questions Nos. 2 and 3. I'm convinced that if the HSTA and Mitch Kahle are opposed to Question No. 2, and the ACLU and criminals and their lawyers are opposed to Question No. 3, then both questions must be good for the rest of us.The splitting of hairs regarding separation of church and state by Kahle is wearing thin and getting extremely boorish. For teachers' union leader Karen Ginoza to attempt to deny the opportunity for better educational facilities for any student, is shameful.
It's about time we stopped worrying about what more we can do for criminals. Adding another way for law enforcement to do its job at less cost to the community, at the same time affording some rights to the victims, makes sense to me. After all, with information charging the judge will still have the final say so the accused will not lose his constitutional right to due process. Question No. 3 provides rights to the victims, while still protecting the accused.
"Yes" votes on Questions 2 and 3 are good for Hawaii and bad for those who have their own agendas to preserve.
Jim Fromm
Waipahu
Democrats spread lies about Pendleton
I am very troubled by a couple of recent mailings from the Democratic Party on behalf of Clyde Morita, who is running in my House district against Rep. David Pendleton.These mailings imply that Pendleton voted "no" on the gasoline price-cap bill when he actually voted "yes," a fact confirmed by the 2002 House Journal record of votes. A mailing also stated that Pendleton was "given tens of thousands of dollars" from the gas and oil companies. This is absolutely false.
I was shocked by the allegation so I called Pendleton and asked him how much money he has received from gas and oil companies for this campaign, and the truth is that he has not received one penny! The Campaign Spending Commission reports also confirm this. Such information is a matter of public record and the Democratic Party officials who printed such allegations could easily have checked this.
Am I to assume that Pendleton's Democratic opponent thinks it's acceptable to let the Democratic Party lie in order to benefit his campaign? In the interest of integrity, I believe Morita must acknowledge that these allegations are false and he should direct his party to stop spreading disinformation about Pendleton. Honesty in office begins with honesty in the campaign. As citizens we have the right to expect our representatives will tell us the truth.
I have decided to vote for David Pendleton because of the honesty, hard work and high ethical values he has exhibited in his life. He has earned my confidence.
Robert Lloyd
Kailua
'Competition' hasn't lowered gas prices
The report from Christopher Grandy, an economist and professor of public administration, recommends encouraging competition as the best way to lower Hawaii's gas prices.Why in more than 40 years has "competition" done nothing but give us the highest gas prices in the nation?
Linda Lingle opposed the gasoline price-cap bill when it passed and said it was a product of election-year politics.
Lingle, like our appointed president, has taken so much money from big business (especially oil), it is indeed about politics.
Robert G. Devine
Ocean View, Hawaii
Lingle is no friend to West Oahu campus
Linda Lingle's "New Beginning" plan states that "There is no better investment opportunity in town than the University of Hawaii." Yet, in a recent debate, Lingle said she was against building a West Oahu campus. Later, she backtracked and said that she just feels that West Oahu isn't a priority. All of this sounds like political double talk to me.Maybe she hasn't battled traffic from West Oahu to get to class at the university's Manoa campus day in and day out. Maybe she hasn't experienced the overcrowding at Manoa. Maybe she hasn't circled around campus for hours looking for a parking spot on the street.
Maybe she doesn't understand the importance of a West Oahu campus to the community. It means more jobs, less traffic and better access to higher education. Now more than ever there is momentum to move this important project forward. It would be unfortunate to have a governor who doesn't prioritize the need for higher education in our rural communities.
Edith Pascua
Waipahu
Debate featured only a third of candidates
On election day, voters will discover six candidates for governor on the ballot. Hawaii Public Television chose to host only two of these candidates in a statewide televised debate last Friday night. Excluding candidates from such a forum perverts democracy for both the candidates and the voters. "Simplified" debate is apparently unappealing to the majority of the populace that will not be voting this year. "Public" television? Give me a break!Ken Schoolland
Waipahu
Lingle was the clear winner of debate
Last Friday's gubernatorial debate more clearly brought out ideas and positions that originated with the candidates themselves in contrast to those based on media reports only.Without question, Linda Lingle made the most convincing presentation, indicating originality, substance and sincerity. In striking contrast to her opponent, she demonstrated strong leadership qualities, foresight and planning abilities that are essential to effective governing. Without doubt she offers a unique opportunity for moving the state out of years of decline into an era of social and economic progress for all elements of society.
We have an unusual opportunity to choose a leader who has the potential to effectively serve all of the people in Hawaii. We would certainly be remiss if we were to forego making this choice a reality.
Frank Scott
Kailua
Candidates seemed too scripted
Regarding the Lingle-Hirono debate last Friday: It is one thing to dignify blatantly patronizing ochre-mist TV spots as a political campaign.It's quite another to pass off a cue card-reading contest as a debate. I demand a rematch. Real questions, unprepared and unscreened and no tele-prompter. Is anyone seriously considering voting for either one of those candidates? What the heck was that?
Jose Jean-Pierre Muntal
Kaneohe
Hirono, Matsunaga have better record
The main issue in the race for governor should be proven capacity to lead. It is simple to make promises and tell people what they want to hear, but a look at the candidates' records shows what they will do if elected. Mazie Hirono and Matt Matsunaga each have impressive records of working for Hawaii's people.There are fundamental differences between Democrats and Republicans. While Linda Lingle can try to mute those differences, she cannot escape the mantle that she shares with George W. Bush, Ted Olsen and the national Republican Party. The political stakes are huge, and I urge Hawaii's voters to continue to put people first by electing Mazie and Matt.
Joyce Matsumori-Hoshijo
Democrats insult Filipinos' intelligence
As a Filipino from the Philippines who grew up here on Maui, I am offended by Mazie Hirono's comment that Linda Lingle is attempting to buy the Filipino votes by using expensive door prizes at her campaign rallies.Is Hirono implying that the only reason Filipinos go to a political rally is to win door prizes? Is she saying that we Filipinos can't think on our own? We are not that dumb; neither are we just followers. Filipinos are going to Lingle's rallies to show support and endorsement in her candidacy to be our next governor.
Filipinos should be appalled at Ms. Hirono' comments. She owes the Filipino community and apology.
Rick Mejia Nava
Lahaina, Maui
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