Letters to the Editor
Long-term-care tax just a big piggy bank
Who are you kidding about the $120 tax per person for future elderly care? It will be nothing more than a big special fund for the politicians to raid whenever they need. A big piggy bank at the expense of taxpayers!
We will never see the day that our money works for us. We will all be dead from exhaustion working to pay more taxes!
Louis Michael Ching
Passenger facility fee cause for cancellation
Regarding Rachel Shimamoto's April 28 letter on the passenger facility charge at the airports:
Quote: "With all the other taxes that the government tacks on to tickets, what's another $4.50?"
I'm incredulous at this statement. I and many others cancel a lot of interisland flights that I would take if the ticket prices weren't already sky-high. And sometimes Hawai'i business people think that they are isolated from fundamental economics. If you want to sell more, cut prices!
Quote: "I have yet to hear a passenger cancel his trip due to an increase in taxes."
I do it all the time. The passenger facility charge at New Kansai in Japan has grown to nearly $25! I avoid Osaka. I always fly to Narita, where this tax on foreign departures only can be justified as a nontaxpayer's contribution toward supporting the airport facility.
Sure makes sense to me to increase prices on something that isn't selling well — in fact, it's a sure sign of monopoly power.
Michael Cashman
PBS programs seem to have leftward slant
On the few occasions that I watch PBS, I do feel a pang of guilt, since I do not financially support the station.
The reason for this, as I'm sure it is for many other viewers, is the obvious leftward slant of nearly all political coverage on PBS ... from "Frontline" to "Bill Moyers."Ê
Even a seemingly nonpolitical show such as "Globe-trekker" is full of "PC" nonsense.
As a conservative I am offended that some of my tax dollars (the percent doesn't matter) is going to support such obviously distorted reportage.
Show me one program even remotely connected to my political philosophy and I will become a happy contributor.
But until then, I will enjoy "As Time Goes By" ... and live with the pain.
Bob Schwalbaum
Pearl City Wal-Mart won't help residents
I am opposed to the construction of Wal-Mart in Pearl City. Wal-Mart destroys the local small businesses, and the revenue does not stay in Hawai'i. The negative effects of this development will be increased traffic congestion, harm to small businesses and low-paying jobs.
The traffic congestion on Kamehameha Highway will be worsened by 25 percent. This is called reckless development and it must be stopped before it is too late. Hawai'i does not need another Big Box from Bentonville, Ark., taking the profits with it.
Sol Ray Duncan
Pearl City
A different kind of congratulations
I want to say congratulations to all the University of Hawai'i players who were drafted by the NFL. I wish them all long and outstanding careers. These players are held up as examples of and to Hawaiian youth. Two of the players had their pictures taken with their girlfriends. One has three children and the other is expecting.
These young men need to get married as soon as possible. They may have been told that it is all right and that there is no stigma. But it's not and there is. I am sure that otherwise these are fine and outstanding young college-educated men.
Ronald A. Young
Wai'anae
Chaminade ignored
I read with great interest Sunday's article "Seminary: Is it necessary?" It is unfortunate that the author of this thoughtful article, The Advertiser's religion and ethics writer, neglected to include Hawai'i's Catholic university on her list of "O'ahu's seminaries and religious higher-education programs." Chaminade University is fully accredited and offers a bachelor's in religious studies and a master's in pastoral leadership.
Mike Barber
Why the 'overkill' on Joe Moore?
I read the news piece by Wayne Harada (whom I enjoy reading) Wednesday and felt the whole thing was overkill and not worthy of front-page news. I attended the play and remembered the movie in question as the end of the play started to unfold. I thought it was clever how he adopted the plot to a local setting and very much enjoyed the play.
I believe Joe to be a stand-up guy who does try to be a professional and cares about his fellow man. What was that saying? Much ado about nothing?
Rob Hicks
Mililani
