BURDEN SHOULD BE SHARED, CUTS FAIR

The public employees' union position has always been about transparency and fairness.

Point 1: Who should bear the burden?

When the state collected more money in taxes than it spent, taxpayers got rebates, increased benefits and expanded services, and yes, employees got raises. In times of deficit, it is only fair that all should share and not put the full load on the backs of the public employees.

Point 2: Fairness in cuts

The unions are not opposed to the idea of furloughs, layoffs or restructuring. They have been opposed to the dictatorial process by which the governor chooses to implement them.

The constitution, state law and contracts demand openness through consultation to ensure that any reduction is fairly implemented. The governor has not revealed the criteria used to select positions for layoffs, and there is evidence that many selections are vindictive in nature.

The governor is not the only stakeholder in state government. If state government is to be reformed, it should involve input from a broader base. Common decency should not have to be sacrificed for expedience.

Ricky Higashide | Honolulu

EDUCATION

DECENTRALIZATION ARGUMENT FALLS SHORT

In promoting local school boards, Randall Roth once again fails to answer what proponents of decentralization have been unable to explain for years: prove how the alternative governance system would improve student achievement.

In 2004, when Roth was Gov. Linda Lingle's senior adviser for education, the Legislature rejected Lingle's local school board plan over the administration's inability to tie the proposal to academic gains, cost concerns and opposition from educational leaders.

Instead lawmakers approved the Hawai'i Reinventing Education Act, which gave schools management flexibility without adding another layer of bureaucracy that local school boards would create. Act 51 set up a weighted student formula that channels more funds to schools based on student need, allowing principals to hire staff and implement programs to address those needs. It also established School Community Councils, where schools and community members collaborate on academic and financial plans.

Roth argues that Hawai'i's centralized school system is top-heavy and impedes education excellence, when just the opposite is true. State administration accounts for only 5 percent of the Department of Education's $1.8 billion budget. Test scores on the Hawai'i State Assessment have steadily risen since 2002.

Greater school autonomy, combined with data-driven instruction, accountability and adequate funding is what will ensure all students succeed.

Garrett Toguchi | Chairman, Hawai'i Board of Education

HEALTH CARE

PLAN WILL ULTIMATELY SAVE MEDICARE

I am a supporter of health care reform and believe in President Obama. He promised us reform during the campaign and is holding true on these promises. There is no reason to distrust his intentions, as he is not bound by "insurance lobbyists" and he is willing to sacrifice his "political capital" even if it means he doesn't get elected again.

Seniors, Obama will not cut Medicare benefits; he has promised to cut waste so he is cutting billions in Medicare Advantage from the insurance companies (payments directly to insurance companies that don't help seniors).

Seniors, reform will close the doughnut hole in Medicare Part D that's costing seniors so much money for prescription drugs, and eliminate co-pays for cancer screenings and immunizations.

Seniors, reform will save Medicare in the long run. If we do nothing, costs will keep rising while your Medicare trust fund will eventually go bankrupt.

Seniors, who will stand to benefit if health care reform fails? Not Obama, not us seniors, only the private insurance companies. They already made billions last year.

Seniors, open your eyes and ears, believe, trust and support Obama's health care reform, or help speed up Medicare's bankruptcy.

John Kalawe | Kea'au, Hawai'i

HONEST TALK NEEDED ON IMPACT TO SENIORS

Most seniors are probably in favor of medical reform that provides health care to those who have none. Nonetheless, the proposal to cut $500 billion — or more — out of Medicare to help pay for the new health reform program will inevitably have an impact.

Medicare, Medicaid, insurance companies and providers have been cutting waste and driving efficiencies for two decades. The government has had well-established fraud units in place for years. The "streamlining" of Medicare may be a good idea but is unlikely to save billions.

There really isn't an easy way to take those kinds of dollars out of Medicare, especially as 70 to 80 million baby boomers age into the program.

There is little question that care to seniors will be impacted — maybe that needs to happen but the conversation needs to be objective and honest.

M. Ellis, M.D. | Kane'ohe

SEPTEMBER 11

THANKS FOR WALK OF REMEMBRANCE

Mahalo to Mayor Hannemann and the Office of Culture and the Arts for putting on the annual 9/11 remembrance walk this past Sunday night. This walk remembers all who perished on 9/11 and pays special homage to all the first responders who lost their lives while trying to save others.

I'm sure we all will pause this Friday morning and think back to where we were eight years ago. My thoughts will turn to Christine Snyder, who grew up with my brother and I, and was part of the first strike back in the war on terror — she was a passenger on Flight 93.

May we all use this anniversary to rededicate ourselves to the ideals this country was founded upon and the worthy goal of a safe and peaceful world for all to live in.

Kalani Melvin | Kailua