How to turn Hawaii into drivers' paradise

I read with interest the suggestion that authorities confiscate the cars of speeders and then sell them.

But if we really want to make a difference on the streets of Hawaii, we must take the program further. All the people driving by themselves in the HOV lanes, all the people who can't use a signal before changing lanes, all the people who can't get their car up to highway speed before attempting to merge, all the people who leave 15 car lengths in front of them in rush-hour traffic, and all the people who flick their cigarette butts out the window should also have their cars confiscated and sold.

Just imagine how much better the roads would be.

Michael Olsen
Ewa Beach

This little lesson can stop you short

Chinese proverb : He who drives like hell ... is sure to get there.

Chester Chaffee
Pearl City

Democrats should let voters make decision

I don't understand the logic of House Democrats who defeated Governor Lingle's plan to allow voters to decide whether we should have locally elected school boards (HB 2332). According to Rep. Roy Takumi, "The majority of members (of the House) felt that governance wasn't the real issue."

If that is truly the case, then why did Takumi and his fellow Democrats advance other constitutional amendments relating to school governance? One proposal would expand the statewide Board of Education from 13 to 17 members and the other would create local school-community councils at every school. These proposals may or may not be be good ideas, but the Democrats felt that the people should be allowed to decide on only their bills. Why not let the people decide on the governor's bill as well? If the Democrats believe that the people were smart enough to elect them to office, then they are smart enough to have a say in how their children are educated.

There are enough people in this state who feel that education decision making and resources should be brought to the local level where the parents and education professionals are located. Shame on Takumi and his fellow Democrats for not allowing the people to vote on this issue.

Don Couch
Kihei, Maui

Giving business break on taxes will help most

President Bush claims his tax breaks are the source for economic growth in the United States. However, the average person (under $50,000 yearly income) will use his a windfall of $100-$300 to prop up countries such as China, Taiwan, South Korea and Indonesia.

How's that? When a person with a lower income receives money, he doesn't rush out and build a new house or buy a new American-made car. Most likely, he spent the money on new clothes, jewelry, or cheap electronics that were not made in the United States. Since they were not made in America, they do not stimulate the economy as much as could be expected.

The big earners ($75,000+ per year) are buying high-end goods, investing more in the stock market (encourages job growth), remodeling their homes (helps local craftsmen, manufacturers and American-made building products) and buying a new luxury car (high profit for a local dealer).

Businesses that receive tax breaks roll this money into several places -- refurbishing factories, research and development, new product lines.

So, although the tax breaks are appreciated by the average working person, they do not do much for the economy (but they do buy votes). To truly invigorate the economy, the incentives should be given to businesses to encourage them to hire more workers, retrain workers, improve products and production, replace aging machinery. Tax incentive plans should be designed by an independent think tank that is not influenced by campaign donations or promises of future employment. Only in this way will we truly receive the biggest bang for our buck.

Christopher Murphy
Wahiawa

Lingle is attentive to concrete strike

Regarding the Star-Bulletin's Feb. 23 editorial, "Concrete strike clouds economic future":

No one has been more concerned about the potential impact of the concrete strike than Governor Lingle. At her urging, I initiated quiet discussions as soon as Ameron announced a walk out of its cement workers. A series of discussions were held with both employers and the unions to explain the governor's concerns and her desire to accelerate the negotiations. We asked both parties to consider the broader implications on Hawaii's recovering, but fragile, economy. We requested that negotiations continue with the goal of a quick settlement.

Before the governor left for Washington, she and I were in constant touch with the unions and employers urging them to return to the bargaining table. There appeared to be one major point of contention, and the governor was hopeful a quick resolution would occur. She also offered the assistance of her chief labor negotiator, Ted Hong. The fact that talks resumed Monday is in large part due to these behind the scenes efforts.

After arriving in Washington, I continued my conversations with Ameron, Hawaiian Cement and the Teamsters union leadership. The governor was constantly briefed on these discussions. Though her intent has not been to interfere with the process, she has offered her assistance on a 24-hour basis. We remain hopeful that positive movement will result from current meetings.

Governor Lingle is continuing to monitor the situation. There is much at stake and we will not stop in our efforts to encourage and lend support in every way possible for a quick resolution of this strike.

Bob Awana
Chief of Staff
Office of the Governor