McCain's negativity in debate disappoints

I watched most of Presidential Debate No. 3. I am so tired of hearing Sen. John McCain complain. Just like his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, he either cannot or will not answer questions as asked by the moderator. He spent half or more of his time disagreeing with Sen. Barack Obama rather than letting the voters know what he would do! McCain is too negative for me. I want someone positive as our next president.

Citizens can take back power with Con Con

Is anyone still wondering why Hawaii consistently ranks lowest in the nation when it comes to voter turnout?

Our legislators have failed to address the public education crisis. They have failed to enact tort reforms to keep our doctors from leaving the state. They exempted themselves from the Sunshine Law so their business is not conducted in plain view of the public. They are taking pay raises during these tough economic times. And they are trying to hush the call for a Constitutional Convention.

We must not allow the status quo to continue. And we actually have a viable alternative.

For the first time in 30 years, we can hold a Constitutional Convention. We'd be in charge. We'd get to take a fresh look at government reforms. We'd get our democracy back. It's about time.

Kobayashi's ideas are all over the place

I am surprised and disappointed in mayoral candidate Ann Kobayashi. She just released her new transit plan for Honolulu. It's a bus rapid transit plan that won't qualify for local money collected by the general excise tax, and it wouldn't be eligible for federal transit funds because there would be no local match. It's also questionable whether any federal highway money would be available for this.

What it sounds like to me is deja vu again when City Councilwoman Rene Mansho switched her vote on rail in 1992 and Honolulu lost millions of dollars in federal transit money.

Kobayashi opposed bus rapid transit when it was originally proposed in 2003. She later voted for the general excise tax hike for rail in 2005 and supported “;fixed guideway”; for mass transit in 2006. She then proposed that the rail line go all the way to Ko Olina, saying the Leeward people need it the most. She later switched to support to a rubber tire technology over steel wheel. And now, she has completely changed her position on transit to get votes from former foe Panos Prevedouros, saying he convinced her otherwise.

And this woman wants to lead our city?

Kobayashi knew landfill couldn't move

So City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi wants proof of my assertion that she “;essentially lied”; during the Oct. 15 mayoral candidates' forum when she stated that Oahu's landfill could have been moved to a small site in Campbell Industrial Park as she proposed in 2004 (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 16).

Well here's the proof: it was absolutely clear in 2004 that this site was totally unfit for use as a landfill, and that it had never even been on the extensive list of sites that were evaluated by professionals and ranked by a special task force after public meetings.

When Kobayashi orchestrated a surprise proposal for that site shortly before the final vote, it was thoroughly debunked by environmentalists and responsible public officials who declared it utterly unrealistic and said the secrecy that surrounded it was unconscionable. The Star-Bulletin reported that there is even a deed restriction that specifically prohibits placing a landfill there.

At the forum, Kobayashi made some rambling statements about hoping some nebulous “;new technology”; that disposes of waste and leaves no residue would have made a landfill unnecessary. Even if somehow possible, that's not what was before the Council for a vote.

Kobayashi voted on Dec. 1, 2004, to keep the landfill at Waimanalo Gulch. For her to say with a straight face that the landfill could have been moved to the other site is simply dishonest and disgraceful.

Johnny Brannon was the Honolulu Advertiser's City Hall reporter in 2004, and is now a city information officer. He wrote this letter as a private citizen.

Since Palin, Lingle's ugly side has surfaced

To Gov. Linda Lingle, who said ”;Obama would devastate our economy”; (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 14): Well, where've you been, woman? In case you are unaware of what's happened in our islands and the entire country, we taxpayers are having to bail out the big banks. People have lost the comfort of their homes, the security of their jobs, the food on the table they no longer have and the confidence of being able to send their children to college, all because your Republicans have allowed this country to be brought down to its knees, so you are part of the problem and that's a fact. Barack Obama did not create this problem!

No more votes for you and yours, because we've all seen a very nasty side of you we didn't know existed. Guess the real Linda Lingle has surfaced as a result of Sarah Palin's nomination. You guys just don't know how to be decent and diplomatic.

Lawmakers have nerve accepting pay raise

Regarding ”;Hawaii legislators to get 36% pay raise”; (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 12): It is outrageous that our highest public servants are so self-serving during this time of economic stress and crisis for the people of Hawaii. Our kids are losing Department of Education programs and services, our public and private health care and other essential services are being cut, and our public services system in general is under attack with up to 20 percent cuts.

Please do not hide behind the state Salary Commission (Rep. Calvin Say and Sen. Colleen Hanabusa). You know that if the public is struggling to tighten its belts, so should you all as our state leaders. Also, Gov. Lingle, this is not the time to go trotting off to the mainland - didn't you just get back from several weeks away campaigning for John McCain? I am disgusted with the business-as-usual behavior of our supposed leadership on both sides when our people are so clearly in crisis. Please pay attention to the business at hand and show us you have what it takes to make Hawaii a better place to live!

Say knows lawmakers work only part time

Concerning the automatic 36 percent legislative pay raise (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 4), I find it unconscionable that House Speaker Calvin Say would actually state, “;Today's increase will be beneficial for all legislators, who are full-time legislators.”; He knows that legislators are part time. He knows that they are permitted to work a second job.

If our legislators want to be paid full-time wages, I expect to find them at the Capitol 50 weeks a year for eight hours a day. If our legislators accept full-time wages while working part time, then shame on every voter in Hawaii who keeps them in office.