To tax, or not to tax?
Legislative priorities are sadly misguided
Recent statements by both Governor Cayetano and Speaker Souki were insulting. It is not that we are not progressive enough or too stupid to understand their tax plan, as implied in their remarks.On the contrary, we understand exactly what they and the Economic Revitalization Task Force want to do. They are offering meaningless so-called benefits so their well-off backers can squeeze more out of us.
If our leaders really want to help the economy, they'd be supporting small businesses, health, education and agriculture. They'd have a decent social safety net in place; cut all bureaucracy, perks and red tape; repeal mandatory car insurance; raise corporate income taxes and tobacco taxes; and, if not decriminalize, at least ignore victimless crimes.
It is obscene that, on the Big Island, there's no money for emergency helicopter service, but there are helicopters looking for pakalolo.
David E. Greene
Hilo, Hawaii
People want tax break that means something
People need a break. A big break.The solution is simple. To help us get ahead, have more money to put back in the economy and start making Hawaii a place where businesses want to open up, we must get a personal income tax break that means something, not a manini-type of tax break.
I want the House income tax reduction of 35 percent. Now, not next year.
Gregory A. Peterson
Tourists should shoulder a bigger tax burden
I see a big difference in the House and Senate plans for tax reform. The House plan will give Hawaii residents an average tax break of 35 percent, while the Senate offers an average of only 7 percent. How does the Senate propose to revitalize the economy with such an insignificant cut?Our Senate seems to believe the GET must remain at 4 percent. I disagree. Raising the GET means tourists would help pay for more of the services and infrastructure that everyone uses.
With the House tax cut plan, my checks will be bigger and I'll pay less taxes. That's the help I need.
Keith K. Nagai
Fiddling with tax rates won't fix our economy
Government leaders want to cut income tax rates so people will have more money to spend, thus boosting the economy. Recognize, though, that this will reduce state revenue, compounding the state's financial problems.No problem! To offset the loss of revenue, they are going to raise the general excise tax. Furthermore, the income tax cut will be greater than the increased excise tax, so folks will in fact be better off. It will really amount to a pay raise -- we will have more money in our pocket.
This has all the earmarks of a shell game; diddle around with the numbers so that you believe you are going to get more than you are going to give.
The sane solution is to provide better, more effective and efficient management in government. This will reduce the cost of government; then the benefit can be passed on in the form of tax relief.
Robert S. Ferguson
(Via the Internet)
Former legislator knows what to do about economy
I was delighted to see the April 3 View Point by former state legislator Jim Shon concerning how Hawaii should stop throwing away its wealth. It is a shame that he is no longer a member of the Legislature; his perceptive analysis and wise guidance is sorely needed there.It seems that the bigger business interests in Hawaii have set the agenda for this Legislature, and they have persuaded everyone to think unimaginatively within the constraints of the Economic Revitalization Task Force proposals.
I wish every legislator would take a few minutes to read Shon's column. Perhaps then there might be some hope for real improvements to the economic measures the Legislature enacts this session.
Terry Hildebrand
Ewa Beach
(Via the Internet)
Estrada would make great president of Philippines
In response to your April 24 editorial, whether Cardinal Jaime Sin approves or disapproves of leading candidate Joseph Estrada, I am very sure the current vice president will get enough votes to give him the presidency of the Philippines.Our group endorses Estrada because he is the best qualified in spite of what Cardinal Sin says about him. Every one of us has our own weaknesses, including the Catholic archbishop of Manila.
We also endorse Estrada because he is the only candidate who promised, if elected, to bury the body of Ferdinand Marcos with presidential honors.
Jose "Joe" J. Lazo
President
Friends of Marcos
Tobacco claims more victims than plague
It is apparent that, worldwide, the tobacco plague is progressively killing more millions each year. Why is it taking so long to remedy this? Money! Specified greased palms are being taken care of by the tobacco lobby.During the middle ages, the bubonic plague killed thousands. Its cause was bacillus pestis, which was transmitted through its vectors, fleas and rats, to humans. When the fleas and rats were destroyed, the plague was controlled.
The tobacco plague originates in the plant nicotinea tabacum, otherwise known as tobacco. It is approved lethal poison and is viciously addictive. The tobacco plague is killing not thousands of people but millions!
The "vectors" of the tobacco plague are our government and the tobacco industry. Our government is subsidizing the growth of tobacco. The industry is making billions of dollars over millions of dead bodies!
If these so-called "vectors" are controlled, we could stop this holocaust.
Dr. Homer V. Hartzell
Retired Oncologist
Kihei, Maui
Careless fishermen endanger rare Hawaiian sea turtles
I felt disappointed and angry that people from Hawaii would leave their nets in the water and that five sea turtles had to die.In school, we learn about universal concepts. We are trying to understand how things affect our lives.
This case is an example of cause and effect. If we kill turtles or harm anything, we harm ourselves too, because there will not be any in the future for us to enjoy and see with our children.
Brandon Liwanag-Luat
Someone killed five Hawaiian green sea turtles because they left their nets out too long in the ocean. I don't think the owners of the net tried to kill the turtles on purpose, but people need to know that what we do causes other things to happen.
Bryan Fujiwara
Grade 3, Kapunahala Elementary
Kaneohe
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