Tea Party pushes goals that clash

Tea Partyers gathered all over the country Thursday to make their demands known. Their two major demands are: Cut taxes and stop deficit spending. Has anyone else noticed how utterly incompatible these demands are?

Incidentally, I heard on MSNBC that, thanks to President Barack Obama's tax cuts, our federal taxes are now the lowest in 55 years, or since Dwight Eisenhower was president, which makes this the perfect time to stage a tax revolt.

Public schools doing a fine job

I wonder how many people remember the purpose of the hurricane fund, who paid into it, and why it still exists. The complaint about spending this fund seems to be more of a smokescreen to complain about the education of our children in the Hawaii public schools.

I began my formal education in 1944 in a public school in Alabama. I still remember the constant complaints about the public education in my home- town and in Alabama.

Certainly, there should always be a re-evaluation of education and a push to improve and maintain the quality in public schools. I consider that my children have, and are getting, a very good education in Hawaii's public schools.

My oldest son attended Hawaii public schools from grade school through graduate engineering school at the University of Hawaii. I think he would agree that, like me, he had some very good and some not-so-good teachers.

I now also have a daughter and son in elementary school. I am pleased with the education they are receiving. Their education generally is much more advanced compared to what I received at the same grade levels. I expect that to continue.

Our teachers and school administrators work hard to provide a good education for our children. Education can be offered, but the results depend not only on the teachers and intellectual power of a kid's brain but also on the personality of each kid; the home, school and community environment; and parents.

Mayor should keep eye on rail

Why is Mayor Mufi Hannemann going on excursions to the neighbor islands campaigning for a job he hasn't declared to be a candidate for? Hasn't he made a commitment to the citizens of Oahu to build the rail system? A good elected servant of the people would be sitting behind his desk, working overtime, getting this project off the drawing board and into operation.

At this time, he should be doing what he has to do to make rail a reality. Distractions like taping cooking shows with Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi should be out of the question.

How much faith in a future governor can we have when he doesn't complete the tasks he has set before himself?

Civil-unions bill deserves a vote

As a person of faith, I am writing to you regarding the pending legislation, House Bill 444, legalizing same-sex civil unions.

I was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools on the mainland. I attend church regularly and I choose to cherish life. I think it is wrong for conservative people and for churches to invoke Christ to discriminate against one another on moral grounds. The most holy acts on Earth arise from a conscience of love and respect for all humanity. Christ welcomed everyone and the world would be more “;Christian”; if we embraced a “;radical love”; instead of “;radical judgment.”;

I would like to see our legislators recognize it is their duty to act from a conscience rooted in love and the spirit of aloha by voting on the bill.

Good riddance to callous duo

Wow—two more tourists refusing to come back to Hawaii because of the disgusting homeless (”;Homeless, crime repulse visitors,”; Star-Bulletin, Letters, April 11).

Well, they won't be missed. Millions come to Hawaii and find other beautiful friendly places to enjoy (try Waipahu) and are gracious enough to realize the homeless are people, too. They live here and have every right to enjoy the beaches and the parks as much as visitors. Instead of criticizing, get educated about why even paradise has people in need.