Rainbow Wahine really know how to play

Let people vote on legalized gambling

Regarding Justin L. Tanoue's Dec. 13 letter to the editor about how Hawaii need not fear gambling: Tanoue is right on, but the only way this issue will ever be solved in Hawaii is if we get the state Legislature out of the loop. This issue should be decided by "we the people" once and for all and not by politics.

If all the people of Hawaii are willing to take the time to take a written proposition and have it put on the next election ballot, then and only then will the people be heard and the issue will be done for the next 10 years, and we all can move on.

But even as Tanoue is right on, he is likely to have pros and cons on the matter. If he and others gather the people by getting enough signatures on a proposition to the government to put it on the election ballot, then and only then will the people have all spoken, win or lose. The number of people who would come out for that election would most likely be 90 percent.

Power is a gift of the people to the government, not the other way around. However, getting a proposition on the ballot will be hard to accomplish as this takes power away from the powers that be, and gives it back to the people.

Go for it, Justin, and anyone else who wishes to help your idea.

Gambling wouldn't solve our problems

Regarding Justin L. Tanoue's letter saying Hawaii needs gambling: First, I find it telling that he proposes Kapolei as a great place for gambling when he lives in Kaneohe. If gambling is so great, why doesn't he suggest it to be his own backyard? Second, about the idea that gambling taxes can go to better our community, just look at Las Vegas' ranking for social programs.

It ranks last in programs for the community.

Why don't we try to resolve the ice epidemic and all its behavior problems before we introduce gambling to this great land?

Roads' many potholes must be repaired

Being an Oahu vehicle driver for more than half a century, I have never seen so many potholes on our roads everywhere after heavy rainfall hit our island. It is costly to repair vehicles damaged by deep potholes and many of us have paid for the consequences of undue mishaps on our highways.

Our governor and mayor must act promptly to correct the taken-for-granted need of their constituents. Each leader should light loud firecrackers behind their legislative bodies so that they wake up and do their forgotten duties.

Let us protect our pocketbooks and persuade our leaders to act soon and start filling holes on our roadways.

Legislature needs to be trimmed back

Can you name an occupation where you work four months a year and get pay and benefits for 12 months and it allows you to work at another job? If you guessed members of the Hawaii state Legislature, you are correct. Also, can you name an occupation where you can work for 10 years and retire with almost full pay and benefits? Yes, the answer again is members of the state Legislature!

The state is currently in a budget crunch, yet our legislators receive full pay and benefits while the public is forced to sacrifice and accept reduced government services and continue to pay high taxes. It is time to cut the Legislature down to size and save millions in wasted tax dollars. Hawaii needs a unicameral Legislature. Not only would tax dollars be saved, but elected members would be required to be more responsive to the needs of their constituents if they expected to be retained in office. Our Legislature should be downsized so it is more accountable and manageable, and the unicameral Legislature is the best solution.