Brainstorm! Challenge

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Let parents vote on education proposals

Governor Lingle's battle with the Democrats over education is outrageous. It proves "we the people" need to settle the issue. Rep. Roy Takumi, House Education Committee chairman, said Lingle's education reform plan "is gambling with students education." Takumi is absolutely correct. She is offering us hope and a chance that we do not have now. What we have is clearly craps.

Legislators, please give me the opportunity to choose which one of a bunch of great ideas would be best for my four kids. Put the governor's ideas on the ballot and put yours up there as well. You want us to be responsible for our children? Then let us. You want to continue to subsidize the consequences of the loss of a good education? Then don't allow me my vote on the issue.

Jim Cone
Honolulu

Union members intimidate legislators

If you wonder why, despite spending almost $2 billion a year on public education, we rank last in SAT tests, the scene on the Senate floor last Thursday was instructive.

The senators were about to debate the annual school "fake reform" bill (the one that won't improve SAT scores), when the representatives from both the teachers' and principals' unions strolled into the empty gallery and sat down.

The Democratic senators indebted to these unions then began to sing the praises of the shibai bill before them, while their masters took notes.

Of course, the union representatives were too subtle to go to the chamber floor afterwards and hand out checks -- those will be written later -- but the quid pro quo was apparent to any veteran of the legislative process.

Perhaps we should make this process more transparent to the public picking up the tab for all this. May I suggest requiring that legislators wear NASCAR-style decals on their suits showing their largest campaign contributors?

Jim Henshaw
Kaneohe

Big Oil has ripped off drivers long enough

A March 4 Star-Bulletin story on gas cap legislation quoted Sen. Fred Hemmings as saying: "This is simply another opportunity to try to single out one group in the free market system and demonize them for political gain in this coming election, knowing full well that if they pass this law that this will not be tested constitutionally until well after the election."

I have watched Big Oil's ripoff of the people of Hawaii for almost 40 years. If it seems that trying to pass legislation to protect ourselves is considered by Republicans to be "demonizing" them, then so be it. I determined long ago that they are, indeed, the foremost economic demons in Hawaii.

I only hope we can get together enough honest elected officials to get a bill through that will finally help people.

Robert G. Devine
Ocean View, Hawaii

Politicians love unions, public or private

In his Feb. 27 letter, Marcus Oshiro, chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Public Employment, defends House Bill 2701 which "prohibits a person involved in a labor dispute from hiring persons from the mainland to take the place of workers on strike." This bill is both xenophobic and bad for business and would only enhance Hawaii's image as the most anti-outsider, union-controlled state in the nation.

What no union-backed politician wants to discuss is the inherent difference between public and private employee unions. Like it or not, private unions play by different rules than their taxpayer-subsidized counterparts.

If companies and their unionized employees are to remain competitive in the free market, wages and benefits must keep pace with economic conditions and demands. I'm sure the majority of concrete workers would rather not be on strike, but against better judgment they chose to walk during a construction boom.

Once again, in an attempt to level the playing field, it appears pro-union legislation will prevail at the public's expense, forcing companies to accept oppressive labor laws that will result in higher prices for all of us.

Andre LeMond
Honolulu

Why keep punishing cigarette smokers?

Senate Bill 2840, which would prohibit the purchase of cigarettes via telephone, mail order, Internet and other on-line sources, is making its way through the Legislature.

This bill unfairly targets those who smoke and have found low-priced cigarettes through the Internet or other on-line sources. The state is responsible for this lost revenue by constantly raising the "sin tax" and forcing people to look for low-cost cigarettes elsewhere.

Why are cigarettes the target? What makes ordering clothing, jewelry, computers and other high-priced items on the Internet or through mail order catalogs any different? The consumers are not paying any state tax on those items.

Donna Kaneshiro
Honolulu

Park's dangers should have been apparent

I have been a frequent visitor to the islands since 1982. I have followed the Sacred Falls Park story closely since the slide took place in 1999. I have never supported the position that there was inadequate warning signage at the park. Life is a risk whether it's driving to work, walking across the street, flying in a plane, swimming in the ocean, standing in the bathtub, or climbing a flight of stairs.

Cliff faces are dangerous places to be. If you are worried about it, then don't go near one. The state should not be held responsible for an act of nature, and I am sorry that the state settled the case out of court. Give unlimited access to the park for all. Let those of us who recognize that life is a risk every day enjoy it to the fullest. The rest of you just stay in bed.

Daniel Piepgrass
Virginia Beach, Va.

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] Does Honolulu need a city museum, and what should be in it? Does history matter? If so, whose history? Bishop Museum is one of the leading cultural museums in the United States, but it is not a history center. Honolulu seems to be the only state capital city without a municipal museum. Does Honolulu need a city museum? What should be in it? Where should it be? Should such a museum be a collection of artifacts or a learning center? Would such a museum be geared for Hawaii education or for entertaining tourists? Send your ideas by March 17 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Fax: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson 529-4750