Prioritizing cuts would be better

From my perspective, Gov. Linda Lingle's recent proposals for budget cuts will hurt those who need the help of government the most: public school students and poorly paid teachers; the poor; and those who require health services but cannot afford them. Moreover, I detect a lack of imagination in these proposals.

Instead of proposing across-the-board cuts, would it not be better to prioritize the needs of Hawaii's people before proposing any cuts? One would think that at the very least the governor and her staff would have chosen to be in conversation with a representative group of citizens before making her decisions. Such a conversation might have slowed up the process of decision-making, which, in this case might have been a good thing. At the same time, it would have been the democratic thing to do. The government, after all, belongs to us; it is the only institution we have in common.

I cannot believe that these kinds of disastrous cuts are what the good people of Hawaii would propose in order to make ends meet. Are there no other options?

UH needs to look locally for president

We're going to be a joke if we pick M.R.C. Greenwood as the next University of Hawaii president just because the other two finalists pulled out. She got low marks from faculty and students.

The UH should renew the selection process and include local candidates even if they don't put themselves up for the job.

I want Richard Dubinoski, dean of Social Sciences, in that mix of candidates.

Very few know the total UH system so well. Few are so collegial. Few have the vision. The regents should dig down deep on this one.

Many of you know me, my integrity and insistence on substance over politics. If you gave Dean Dubinoski five years at the helm you'd be making us a better university.

Natatorium is nice but hardly noteworthy

With regard to the future of the Natatorium, no one can challenge the statement in your editorial regarding the need to “;recognize its historical importance.”; But, certainly, one can question your statement about “;its architectural importance.”;

It is not by any stretch of the imagination a noteworthy piece of architecture. On the contrary, it is a bit of second-rate design with very mediocre details. The restrooms, showers and dressing areas are marginally acceptable. And finally, the Roman lettering on the memorial arch is insulting to the tradition of that noble alphabet.

A sensible compromise regarding its future was suggested many years ago: Tear it down but leave the memorial arch. And perhaps, add a bronze plaque with the names of those it is memorializing.

The rich need to start paying 'fair share'

With the recent state's financial shortfall, our elected officials want to raise taxes and Gov. Linda Lingle wants state employees to take furloughs each month. They fail to recognize why there is a budget shortfall. We spend more money than what comes in.

Each month when I balance my budget, I hope that it all works out. The same should apply to the state. I think the biggest reason why there is not enough money in the budget is that the rich are not paying their fair share. I think that when these elected officials have their fundraisers, many of the rich attend trying to get something in return. So the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

This needs to stop. 2010 is an important election year, with many of the incumbents up for re-election.

I say let's vote for the little guy: Candidates who don't have ties to the rich, but will listen to the people and bring our budget out of dire straits.

More support needed for transparency bill

In the coming weeks, Congress will vote on a bill that will increase transparency of government in the most crucial of areas: money creation. H.R. 1207, the “;Audit the Fed Bill,”; will require the Federal Reserve Bank to disclose where it distributes newly created money.

Money creation by the Federal Reserve increases the prices we pay for goods by inflation. The more money created, the higher prices will go. The money supply has roughly doubled since we first embarked on bailing out different industries to avert a deeper recession.

This bailout will hurt the poor and middle-class most as they see prices they pay for gas, food and clothing rise until they are nearly double what they were last year.

Unfortunately for Hawaii, only U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie has signed up to be a co-sponsor of H.R. 1207. Contact U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and ask her to support the bill. If Hirono can't protect us, perhaps we should replace her with someone who will.