Another audit indicts state government
Your Oct. 21 editorial regarding another critical audit on state government operations was right on target. Sadly, the state auditor only reports and makes recommendations but has no authority to force corrections.You state that changes must be carried out through the will of the executive and legislative branches that allow this mismanagement to continue. You concluded that this has to stop. How about going one step further to state the obvious solution that only a change in the political regime will effect improvement in the shameful mismanagement that the state auditor, Marian Higa, continues to uncover.
Geraldine Scott
It's time for candidates to put up, or shut up
The recent advertisements for the gubernatorial candidates have been bereft of substance. They talk of improving the economy, the schools and the communities. All very nice, but no one has made any promises that strike a sincere enough chord to make me think they care about anything other than getting into office.You know what would really impress me? A plan backed up with a promise that if it didn't work in four years, the candidate wouldn't be back to try for another term.
I'm a public school teacher. I don't much care for either of the major party candidate's education plans. To vote Democratic would seem to endorse more of the same, business as usual and management by crisis. The Republican plan looks like a recipe for chaos; it gets us to the same place, only faster.
Maybe it is time for a change, maybe it isn't. I'd be willing to throw my chips in with the person with the confidence to make a real promise.
Kent Sato
Vote 'yes' on ballot question No. 3
Regarding constitutional amendment question No. 3:This amendment has been designed to provide our community with a necessary tool to effectively combat crime and protect its victims. As a former prosecuting attorney who has had first-hand experience with "information charging" let me state that it provides a fair and efficient means to combat crime. No one's constitutional rights are abridged and only a judge can approve the issuance of a charge.
This method of charging saves time, money and spares the victims of crime the needless repetition of testimony that they are forced to endure now.
In this day and age, law enforcement should be provided with every possible tool at its disposal to effectively combat crime and protect our community. A vote in favor of question No. 3 would do just that.
Michael J. McGuigan
Reinwald O'Connor and Playdon
Attorneys at law
Say 'no' to ballot question No. 3
I am worried that voters don't understand ballot amendment No. 3 and the rights we will lose if it passes. A "yes" vote will change the Hawaii Constitution and erode our constitutional rights. It will give the prosecutor the power to charge our fellow citizens with serious crimes without the protections of a grand jury or a preliminary hearing.Voting "yes" to ballot question No. 3 will allow the prosecutor to file criminal charges against a fellow citizen on second- or even third-hand information. The danger of charging a fellow citizen with a crime based on speculation or fabrication will be great. The potential for the abuse of such immense power also is great.
Michelle L. Drewyer, Esq.
Wailuku, Maui
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