Gambling is not safe bet for state

It is not hypocritical to ban gambling. We know that people gamble in the hope of winning large amounts of money.

However, statistics show that only a few people break even, much less win so much as even a small amount over time. In fact, people returning from Las Vegas frequently sound proud of themselves if they broke even.

Who pays for all the handsome buildings there? They are paid for by the vast losses of hopeful

gamblers.

If we bring gambling here to try to catch some of the money that we think would otherwise go to Las Vegas, we will be making it easier for our citizens to lose their money. It is unconscionable for our government to entice our citizens in such a way to collect taxes.

Remember that the gambling industry would collect the money for us and keep a percentage of the profits, and we would end up with less money and an increase in crime, homelessness and suicide. Studies have shown that these follow after gambling is legalized.

Time to revise ban on cell phone use

On July 1, motorists in Honolulu were banned from using handheld devices while driving. Is this necessarily a good thing? Maybe, maybe not.

Yes, many vehicular accidents were caused by motorists on cell phones. But many are also caused by people eating, applying makeup, scolding their kids in the back seat. Is the Legislature going to try to illegalize these actions, too?

A person may also hit a pedestrian and flee the scene because he/she fears being cited because he/she was on a cell phone at the time of the accident. I especially find the section of the law that states that a motorist may be issued a citation for using a cell phone while the engine is running extremely unnecessary.

I think lawmakers need to take a hard look at this law and make some revisions.

Extremists ruining Republican party

Is the far right continuing to control the GOP? Led by those such as Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, they have done everything possible to align themselves with hate groups. They apparently dislike the president due to his race, opposed Sonia Sotomayor due to her race, and they oppose a woman's right to choose. They stridently oppose the rights of 50 million people to have health care.

What has happened to the majority of Republicans who don't agree? Are they afraid? Why won't they stand up for middle America and those who value love versus hate, diversity, health care for all, and a clear separation between church and state?

As a former Washington state legislator (Democrat), I saw the great value of a two-party system where both sides work together in a civil manner. The far right is a threat not only to the Republican Party itself, but to the fabric of our democracy.

Limbaugh recently compared the Democrats to Nazis, yet the Republican right wing's propensity toward hate-mongering is extraordinarily dangerous. When 90 percent of the Germans failed to act, the Nazis took over the government, which won on lies. It is crucial that moderate and liberal Republicans take back their party.

Age and experience a plus in politics

Am I the only one who finds it ageist and offensive when candidates for the vacant District 5 City Council seat actually used the words “;youthful”; and energetic”; on their campaign promos?

Hawaii voters have often proved that age and experience are more valued than youth and ambition.