Health reform exists in Hawaii

I am shocked by the opposition to health care reform expressed by letter writers. This is because the bill working its way painfully through Congress is not all that different from the health care reform passed by our Legislature in the mid-1970s. We have universal health care. There are homeless in a nearby park who have the same wonderful Kaiser plan I do (only, they don't have co-pays). It's been working for us for more than 30 years. So, how is Hawaii's “;socialized medicine”; doing?

» Hawaii has the lowest per capita health care costs of the 50 states. The second-lowest state is not even close. Can you name anything else that has the nation's lowest cost in Hawaii?

» Hawaii has the nation's longest longevity. We tend to live longer than our mainland friends.

Put the two together and you have to give our health care system an A+ grade. How anyone in Hawaii could oppose our mainland friends getting this is nothing short of astonishing.

Resolution gives Chinatown a say

We compliment the city's concern and effort in addressing the homeless problem. We agree that something should be done.

However, for the River Street project, what is really needed is input from the community in Chinatown that will be most affected by the subject property, which has been sorely lacking.

In this regard, I and our committee strongly support the city and county resolution No. 09-364, which reflects what is needed for the subject property. By allowing input by the key organization representatives, the resolution would involve consideration of a senior affordable project or another project that is acceptable to local residents, organizations, businesses and landowners. It also would allow Chinatown to continue to keep its special and unique character—the most important being a strong family-centered community.

Raising GET would backfire

I may not be someone who knows, but I believe raising the state general excise tax to meet all of the state's current monetary needs will only push many struggling tax-paying businesses out of business. This will clearly create more private sector unemployment and force devastated state education system employees to bear more of this burden.

Eventually, we will come to understand that funding for the core services we are entitled to—such as public health, safety and education—must come from respective county sources.

Obama does not need adulation

President Barack Obama does not deserve a landmark in Hawaii named after him of any kind in our state (beach, lookout, road, etc.).

He may have been born and raised here, but his true allegiance is to Chicago. So let that city name a road, beach or building after him. Besides, his ego is large enough that we don't have to show that kind of adulation to a living being; he is wonderful enough in his own eyes. Let it go.

Don't change school names

This name changing is getting really carried away. No school should be renamed after President Barack Obama. McKinley High School is under the historic registry and is named after a former president already. If anything should be named in his honor, it should be Punahou School, since he attended and graduated from there. Let's see how the Punahou alumni take to that idea.

He hasn't done anything yet to warrant the honor. If anything, when a new high school is built, name that after him. Since everyone is trying to name everything after President Obama, why not change Oahu's name to Obama Island. That makes about as much sense as all the other changes or ideas.

Form committee to identify waste

I have been in the landscaping business for 35 years. For the same length of time, I've been concerned about the millions of dollars thrown away each year on plants that don't grow. I thought my industry and representatives would want to change the way we do things; I was wrong.

Raising taxes is bad enough, but charging user fees for hiking to the Makapuu Lighthouse is unacceptable, especially after taxpayers have invested $290,000 on a dead landscape. This is not an isolated incident.

An alternative to raising taxes and fees is re-establishing the committee that now U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono chaired on efficiency when she was lieutenant governor. I'm confident professionals in other fields (education, public safety, transportation) would have constructive suggestions, if encouraged to identify waste.

I believe we can change the way we do things, but many people have lost faith, choosing instead to join the underground economy working for cash and finding ways to avoid paying taxes and fees.

Salary savings would cost a lot

Be careful what you wish for. University of Hawaii faculty are in the lowest 25 percent of pay compared to faculty in other state universities. If the cost of living is included, they are the lowest paid in the entire country.

UH-Manoa faculty bring in millions of dollars a year (more than $1 million a day) through extramural grants. This money funds thousands of researchers and students who spend those millions of dollars in the local economy. Faculty who leave take their grants with them. By saving a few million dollars on reduced salaries, you will lose 10 times that amount or more in grants.

Can't extrapolate from 1 incident

Is it any wonder why the issue of health care can't get a serious hearing in this country? Rush Limbaugh, a “;shock jock”; who makes in the ballpark of $30 million a year, has a singular medical crisis and believes he is able to proclaim, “;There is nothing wrong with the American health care system.”; No doubt, his estimated 14 million fans will nod in approval of this “;analysis”; as they listen to him on 600 radio stations nationwide.

What a peculiar philosophy this man has: “;Since my privileged experience was fine, everyone else should shut up and accept what is.”;