Kupuna tax idea incenses senior

I recently received a survey form from my state representative asking my opinions on several issues. One of the survey questions was about establishing a state income tax on pensions.

I caution each state representative and senator that they should not attempt to balance the state budget on the backs of the kupuna. We seniors pay attention, we vote and we do not take prisoners when it comes to protecting our earned retirements.

I also warn state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa that a kupuna tax can and will be held against her in her run for the 1st U.S. Congressional District seat.

Gay marriage an inalienable right

House Bill 444 is back in the news. I feel compelled to share an epiphany I had on the subject.

I started out ambivalent about gay marriage. After all, the sight of two men or two women marrying is a bit of a shock. I tripped over the answer in these beautiful words from the Declaration of Independence:

“;We hold these truths to be self evident; that all men are created equal. They are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”;

Can you think of anything more inherent in the pursuit of happiness than a loving, committed, stable relationship recognized by society, in other words, marriage? Well, neither could I. The Declaration of Independence tells us that the God-given right for all, not just heterosexuals, to marry has been there all along. Furthermore, that right is inalienable, meaning that it cannot be taken away by voters in a voting booth. That we have done so in 31 states, including Hawaii, is a travesty.

The Declaration of Independence demands that HB444 be passed.

Don't waste time on civil unions

Contrary to what proponents of HB444 say, civil unions is not an issue of equality.

There are many behaviors that are not equal under the law. Simply because those behaviors exist does not make them equal and deserving of being legalized.

In fact, behaviors such as polygamy, incest, pedophilia and other unnatural sexual practices are considered so abhorrent by society that its laws deem these deviant practices as illegal, not equal.

Passing HB444 to legalize civil unions would be a monumental waste of precious legislative time, energy and resources. Legislators are fooling themselves if they think they could pass it quickly and be done with be it. This matter will drag out far longer than just the first few weeks. The battle over same-sex marriage dragged on for eight years before the voters finally put a stop to it.

Let's make 2010 the year of action

May the year of 2010 be one of action: the beginning of construction of the elevated rail, with no more delays; moving forward on resolutions that we make; passing an election law requiring all registered voters to vote absentee by mail; repaving of our thoroughfares; bringing most of our troops home from Iraq; helping the homeless find housing by possibly using state, city or federal buildings such as warehouses that are not being used now; and taking small but meaningful steps toward our recovery as a state and our nation.

2010, the year of action!