Tea Party signals sweeping change

Lately, many letter writers have derided the Tea Party phenomenon as right-wing extremism, but, after watching many of these gatherings, the falseness of the criticisms is obvious. Attackers of the Tea Party are responding to a growing awareness that sweeping political change often comes from such movements.

To paraphrase Saul Alinsky, when one revolutionary movement ends, another begins. Although the liberal/ progressive movement hasn't yet ended, its end is definitely in sight. Even as the current political regime works furiously to complete the New Deal and Great Society transformation of the U.S. into a social welfare state, the failure and destructiveness of that model grows increasingly clear.

When more of the electorate wakes up, as many Tea Partyers have, to this fact, the choices will be two: continue to feed an impossibly expensive, ineffective entitlement culture leading to the decline of the nation, or sweep aside the political mentality that created it. It will be painful, but I believe that Americans will choose the latter.

DHS spending its state, federal funds wisely

Star-Bulletin reporter Helen Altonn did a good job of clarifying the issues as state legislators worked to reconcile sharp differences in the House and Senate versions of the Department of Human Services budget (”;$46M for child welfare in dispute,”; Star-Bulletin, April 16).

The House budget, unfortunately, restricts DHS from spending $46 million in federal and state funds for community-based social services. These highly effective programs prevent child abuse and neglect and assist needy parents as they transition from welfare to work. These programs also help at-risk youth succeed in school and avoid crime, drug abuse, out-of-wedlock pregnancies and other behaviors that lead directly to poverty.

Fortunately, the Senate budget is similar to Gov. Linda Lingle's budget, in that DHS is not restricted from spending this $46 million on contracts with community-based social service providers. As Altonn points out, DHS and its community partners have safely reduced the number of children in foster care by more than half, eliminated the disproportionate removal of native Hawaiian children from their parents, and achieved one of the lowest rates of child re-abuse in the nation.

We are investing federal and state money wisely—in our communities, where it is needed.

DHS should not be spending its reserve

I am deeply concerned by state Department of Human Services' Director Lillian Koller's insistence to spend down the department's reserve funds for needy families, known as TANF. Four years ago, the reserve was $120 million; today it is down to $20 million. In your April 16 story, she blames the Legislature for trying to tie up the funds. That is false, misleading and irresponsible.

The truth is, the director wants to continue to spend $130 million a year, when the state can only count on receiving $98.9 million. She claims that we are hoarding $49 million, when her own staff confirmed that is incorrect. The department has already received $24 million of those funds. Once the reserve is gone, it's gone forever, and Ms. Koller will not be here next year when serious cuts will have to be made.

All indications show that it will be a few years before our economy rebounds. We are trying to get the department to be responsible, not spend down the reserve, and anticipate significant needs for future years.

Resurrecting HB 444 now would be mistake

I strongly support civil unions. However, I agree with the decision of House Democratic leaders not to bring the civil union bill up for another vote in the face of a certain veto by Gov. Linda Lingle. They know that we do not have enough votes to override a veto—so having a vote now would only have the effect of setting up our most vulnerable Democratic representatives, those from swing districts, for a religious right firing squad in the coming election. Then they will not be here next year when we will likely have a Democratic governor who would sign the bill.

Flag-bill proponents appreciate Rep. Pine

As one of the veterans who have been involved with House Bill 2311, which would relax flag-flying rules in planned community associations, we are disappointed by what we have witnessed at the state Legislature.

We are especially at a loss for words by Sen. Will Espero's declaration on the Senate floor that Rep. Kymberly Pine used us (veterans) for political gain ... and that Rep. Pine was confused (”;Flag bill prompts charges of lying,”; Star-Bulletin, April 16).

For the record, none of us had met Rep. Pine before the legislative session, but we have grown to respect her for her support and understanding of veterans issues and our causes. Statements made that she used veterans and the flag bill issue for her personal gain are false. She, also a veteran's wife, has always kept her word, never waivered and carried herself with dignity and honor.