Economic woes must be remedied by economists

Economic problems in Hawaii are not analogous to weather (as in economic "climate"), nor due primarily to other mysterious forces like the "global economy."

The root cause of past and present economic problems in Hawaii is the array of business and political forces which monopolize the control of resources in the name of a "free" enterprise philosophy.

This elite group is embodied in the Governor's Economic Revitalization Task Force, which has just concluded its work - a hodgepodge of inconsistent policy ideas - without an economist in sight.

Its conclusions represent private business and political interests, not the public good.

I am an economist with a doctorate degree who is qualified and experienced in the linkages between economy theory, policy and productive implementation. I am currently available for consultation.

The economy is not like the weather: It can be changed!

Michael McCarthy

Trickle-down economics won't work here, either

Ronald Reagan was blamed for the idea of trickle-down economics because the corporations, companies and individuals did not reinvest funds saved from decreased taxes. Ironically, not all them were Republicans, even though the GOP was blamed for the failure of the tax break.

Now in Hawaii, the Democrats have come up with a "new" idea to help the economy - a tax break to help encourage and stimulate new jobs and increase investment in Hawaii. Let me see, where have we heard this before?

Will Hawaii have any more success than the federal system?

Will the corporations, companies and individuals save their tax dollars and create new full-time jobs at living wage levels?

If this doesn't happen, will the Democrats face responsibility for its failure or will they be praised for the shell game that has been proposed?

Only time will tell.

Carolyn Martinez Golojuch
Makakilo

Latest rage in fashion
is inhumane, unnecessary

As department stores put up their holiday decorations, I am reminded of those whose lives are lost for luxury items. Holidays are supposed to be for giving, but all fur does is take away lives. Fur trim - on coats, gloves, hats and shoes - is responsible for so many killings.

The bloody business of making a fur coat is a product of immense pain and suffering. Animals killed for their fur are obtained in one or two ways: by trapping or from fur ranches.

Animals caught in leg-hold traps endure slow, excruciating deaths. Some chew off their own legs to escape. Others freeze or bleed to death. Those who don't will be strangled, stomped or bludgeoned by trappers.

The traps used not only kill their intended victims but also injure or kill endangered species, domestic companion animals and other animals accidentally caught.

Fur ranching, which is no more humane, is characterized by barren cages, isolation and environmental deprivation so severe that animals often go insane.

Some department stores and mail-order catalogs have ceased carrying full-length fur coats but continue to perpetuate the death of animals by selling items that have fur trim.

Don't be fooled by the amount of fur. For even a small patch on a coat or glove, an animal's life is lost.

Gail A. McElrath
Ewa Beach

War over how to teach
has too many casualties

Phonics vs. whole language: The national conflict arises local-style in the editorial pages on a regular basis. Noting the debates and reviewing the opinionated cross fire, I also read with heartfelt empathy the letters from worried parents of children affected by these arguments.

As the stand-off continues, the situation grows more confused. Still, a few facts are emerging:

n An estimated 70-80 percent of children learn to read, whatever method is taught.

n Approximately 20-30 percent of children taught whole language during critical early learning years develop serious, long-lasting problems.

In my work as a mental-health therapist for children fitting within the parameters of the Felix Consent Decree, I observe disturbing casualties of this educational war.

While the bickering continues, administrators must honestly acknowledge that problems exist, and that too many children are falling through the cracks.

Genuine accountability for identification of young children who aren't absorbing, and detecting children with learning differences before they become overwhelming disabilities, must be a priority on the agenda of every school system.

For teachers (and parents) uncertain about special needs, excellent conferences are offered by the Learning Disabilities Association, Dyslexia Association and Assets School, among others. Required course work in assessment of exceptional children for student teachers is fundamental.

Barbara Kirk

'Environmental racism'
is rampant in community

Your Oct. 15 article, "City drops sludge plant site," and the Oct. 16 story, "State acts on waste plant odor" are clearly concerned with "environmental racism," however, you fail to use the term.

You sugar-coat this ugly form of discrimination by pointing out a "valuable service by recycling of the large amount of organic waste the island produces."

This is being performed by the importation of environmental racism and slam-dunking it into the nasal passages, pores of the skin, mouths, lungs and eyes of the people of Waimanalo.

Your weasel-worded reports conceal the fact that the "artificial digestive systems" are not the "digestive systems" of cows and horses (grass-eating animals) but are like the digestive system of a Komodo dragon that feeds on maggot-ridden and putrefying dead animals.

These digesters spew bioaero-sols and sickening odors that blanket residences, schools, stores, small restaurants, parks and other areas far beyond the boundary of the land where these digesters burp and belch.

You have the power to slant your stories, but you will never have the right to do so.

Joseph A. Ryan

Get serious about
global warming

Editor's note: The following letters to the editor were submitted by fifth- and sixth-grade students studying global warming at Enchanted Lake Elementary School in Kailua. Their teacher is Lena Kanemori.

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Peter P. Rogers, a Harvard environmentalist, says that scientists need at least five more years to study global warming, but politicians, notably Vice President Al Gore, want to act now.

I think Al Gore is correct. I want the world to be just as good as it is for me as for generations to come. If we don't do something soon it will be too late!

Jennifer Mika Sawada

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President Clinton should pay more attention to the global warming problem since he's the one who gives the orders in America. He should make a law that there are only two cars per family and if they need more they should buy solar-powered cars instead.

He also should encourage tax breaks on buying solar panels for heating.

Evan Grace

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The entire civilization is at stake and the president of the United States isn't giving a hoot about it! He should assemble representatives from each state and tell every state that they should begin to reduce of greenhouse gases.

David Yoneshige

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President Clinton first wanted to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2000. Now he is not sure if we should stretch the time to 2012. Some people think that that might be too late.

I think we need to take action just like Vice President Al Gore. Some scientists are saying that Hawaii's winter will be dryer. In some places it is affecting how crops grow. I feel we really need to work on this.

Kristina Taylor

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The president and vice president should have a meeting to discuss whether to act now to reduce global warming or to wait a little longer. I feel we should do something now and don't wait.

The rising of the oceans could cause flooding and hurricanes could also cause major damage. Our president should be responding to these concerns. This is a big issue!

Tiara Nicole Oshiro Aflague

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President Clinton proposed lowering taxes for those companies that lower their greenhouse gas emissions. I think Clinton should make this a mandatory program instead of a voluntary program. By forcing companies to obey the new regulations, global warming effects may be reduced.

Aaron Omura

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President Clinton should take a better stand on reducing greenhouse emissions because he wants to wait a while. But if he waits, global warming could get worse. Global warming could cause flooding, decaying of our crops, and it would be too hot to live in Hawaii.

Some scientists say that they need five more years to study the problem. I think that three years would be enough.

Ashley Sumiko Kehaulani Shigaki

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I am concerned about the possible effects global warming may have on the world. If it is not stopped, polar ice will melt, making the oceans rise, the rising oceans could flood coastal cities, and it goes on and on.

Why can't the world try to switch to a different power source such as solar power which will not emit gases into the atmosphere?

Ryan Greer

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Some global warming is a natural occurrence, but much is caused by human behaviors that can be changed.

The president, scientists, global leaders, and government officials should work together to reduce these emissions and every person on the planet should help. We can do simple things like turn off our lights and fans when we are not at home to save energy and reduce the need for oil.

Amelia Burlingame

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The United States has only 4 percent of the world's population but emits 22 percent of the carbon dioxide.

Where is most of this carbon dioxide coming from? Cars.

A solution would be to increase the gas prices in the U.S., so people will be weary about buying a lot of gas. People could use other alternatives such as biking, walking, car pooling, and using public transportation, such as TheBus.

Maria Krawciw

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Some of the things we should do right now to reduce global warming are to plant trees, use cars that don't use much gas, and install solar panels so that we can do our share.

C.J.Von Buchwald-Wright

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One article I read said that Al Gore was doing foolish things to fix global warming. At least he cares because he wants government to act to curtail the emission of greenhouse gasses. But when President Clinton reacted to global warming, I got mad. So I want him to do better and get the job done now!

Jordan P.K. Wong

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Bishop Estate Archive

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