Flooded crosswalks don't help the disabled

Are we slowly evolving from a Can Do to a Can't Do Anything Right society? It barely rained last Wednesday morning, yet one of the handicap crosswalks at the entrance to the Halawa Gate at Pearl Harbor is totally flooded. This happens all over Oahu, especially when it rains more than a little.

What does it take to build a handicap crosswalk that doesn't flood or get caked with dirt, anyway, an engineering degree from a foreign country? Ditto for the drawbridge at Sand Island that doesn't draw and the reconfiguration rails at Aloha Stadium that don't reconfigure anything -- for decades!

GE tax increase will make more homeless

The proposed 12.5 percent general excise tax increase is supposed to build a rail system to ease traffic congestion from the west side of the island. I have yet to see a poll that has addressed who will ride this new rail. According to statistics from all over the country, only about 8 percent of the population will ride public transportation, including bus, rail, etc. I don't think 8 percent fewer vehicles on the road will help our current traffic problems.

The only people to benefit from this are the same ones who benefit from all public projects -- unions from increased union dues, politicians in the form of increased political donations from the unions.

No one has stopped to think about the average citizen who has to struggle each month to make ends meet. This tax increase will only cause more people to become homeless because they cannot afford to pay their rent or maybe they will choose to go without food.

I hope that during the next election the people of Hawaii will remember those who have pushed to have our taxes increased for the benefit of themselves, unions and big business.

State, city workers should start earlier

Do you want to see Oahu's traffic problems solved? My suggestion is to have all state and city employees and the University of Hawaii start at 6 a.m. instead of the present 7:45 a.m.

I notice that when there is a state holiday or when UH is out of session, there is no traffic on the road.

Removing these groups from the roads at the peak traffic hours would certainly resolve the usual rush hour traffic every morning and afternoon. By having state and city business hours at an early time, those requiring mainland connections would certainly benefit as well as the general public who would be able to get to public services before and possibly after their usual work hours.

As one our island's largest employers, the state government should take the lead to assist the traffic woes of our island. Flex time and moving to Kapolei have not worked. Rail will not be here for many more years, if ever. My idea is a simple solution and a very fast fix.

Clinton lied about WMDs before Bush did

In his May 19 letter to the editor, Paul D'Argent wants to know when "Bush & Co.'s collective apology" will be forthcoming. Mr. D'Argent must have a short memory because President Clinton along with his Defense Secretary William Cohen and U.N. Ambassador Madeleine Albright unequivocally stated during the Democrats' tour of duty in Washington that Iraq DID have WMDs!

Does the first liar get a free pass?

E bus offers clean, safe, convenient ride

Please do not discontinue the E-line bus from Waikiki to Chinatown. As a Kalakaua Avenue resident and frequent rider of TheBus, I was overjoyed when this line began. It is the most efficient, enjoyable ride to downtown Honolulu and points along the way. When both locals and tourists find out about it, they are eager to hop on and enjoy the quick ride to Ala Moana or the 15-minute ride to Chinatown. I know if this line were properly promoted, it would pay for itself.

One immediate remedy to the transportation and parking problem is to make our bus system more convenient and enjoyable so that people will leave their cars at home. And as the E-line services most of the arts and entertainment venues from Waikiki to Restaurant Row, Aloha Tower and Chinatown, it is nice to feel that you can have a drink or two, enjoy the evening, and just hop on the clean, air-conditioned, efficient E-line to return home safe and sound.

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