Want more physicians? Get rid of the lawyers

The Star-Bulletin's Oct. 8 article ”;Legislators need to address Big Island doctor shortage”; is laudable, but it doesn't address a dismaying fact: the people who've caused a problem can't be trusted to fix the problem.

Legislators whose re-election campaigns are heavily funded by trial lawyers will not pass meaningful solutions to the exodus of physicians from Hawaii. We need new faces if we want to stop the bleeding.

We need statespeople, not politicians

Everyone agrees “;we”; need fewer “;politicians”; in public office and more “;stateswomen and men,”; but few can clearly tell me what “;stateswoman or man”; means. I don't blame them. Some words cannot be further defined in more words. They can only be illustrated with specific examples. So, how about a game for letter writers directed at that effort? Contestants would submit a three-sentence letter stating a subject, describing what a “;politician”; would do and describing what a stateswoman or man would do. I'll start.

Subject: “;Students made impassioned pleas to save school programs”; (”;Thousands suggest DOE budget cuts,”; Oct. 7).

A “;politician”; will pat them on the head, make sympathetic sounds, laud their “;activism,”; counsel them that “;we”; all need to sacrifice, and promise to fight for them.

A “;stateswoman or man”; would explain to them that begging is unseemly, and then ask if they will pledge a specific percentage decrease in school vandalism and specific increase in standardized test scores in return for preserving programs they want.

We really do need more stateswomen and men - and fun.

Political campaigns should give out prizes

As an added attraction to the presidential campaign, a prize will be awarded to the person scoring the highest count of Sarah Palin's winks and tangled syntax during her political speeches. Another prize will be for the repeated use by John McCain of the term “;my friends”; in the final debate with Barack Obama on Oct. 16.

The winners will ride on the “;Straight Talk Express”; bus complete with Palin's cheerleader routine, McCain singing his favorite song “;My friends”; and Sen. Joe Lieberman (a McCain supporter) playing the harmonica.

Honor and courage can beat financial crisis

I enjoy watching war movies because they often tell stories of courage and persistence. One of my all-time favorites is “;Saving Private Ryan,”; where action determined honor. War and business run close parallels. It's the reason Sun Tzu's “;Art of War”; has held a following for centuries. The victor will have displayed courage and determination.

Every issue can be simplified for quick action. Consumer confidence triggers spending, which is critical in a good economy. Why, then, do we let fear affect our confidence, and ultimately our economy?

The next time Joe Analyst appears on the daily morning show with panic in his voice, “;liquidate your stock portfolio,”; think back to that decision in “;Saving Private Ryan,”; when Cpl. Timothy P. Upham, frozen with fear, allowed the German soldier to move past him and kill Capt. Miller. Be a Tom Hanks instead. Let honor, not fear, guide your decision.

We will beat this financial crisis because we have enough strong-minded Americans in this great country, but your actions directly affect just how bloody this “;war”; will get.

Don't get a dog if you aren't going to train it

Another dog euthanized due to aggressiveness (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 7). My heart goes out to the family of Iokepa Liptak. I also feel very upset with the decision to euthanize the dog. This is clearly a no-win situation.

Folks, adopting a dog is like adopting a child. It comes with a whole lot of responsibility, including financial and training. You don't just put the dog in the kennel and expect it to behave well. Dogs need training, training and training, besides exercise and love. It becomes more important if there is a baby around.

We all know that dogs are territorial by nature, no matter what breed. Statistics show that small breed dogs also can attack and kill babies. Baby left with a dog is attacked; dog gets euthanized, not knowing why.

Please, please ... think twice before getting a dog or any other pet for that matter. If you do not have the time to train and exercise them, then don't get one!