INEFFICIENCY LEGACY OF GOVERNMENT

At an AARP event on July 28, President Obama referred to a letter from a woman who was against government-run health care, but who didn't want her Medicare messed with. Seizing upon this apparent contradiction, he used the letter to prove that the elderly actually support a public system. However, the woman was illustrating the helplessness of being dependent on the beneficence of government for one's well-being. The fact that she was afraid the government would cut back on the only program available to her is hardly an endorsement of more government control.

Since Obama intends to cut $500 billion from Medicare to fund his public option, depending on government largesse has become problematic indeed. Now the president wants us to believe that the public option will compete with insurance companies to bring prices down. But his analogy of the Post Office's competition with FedEx and UPS illustrates the superior operation of private enterprise, not government. Obama even admitted that the Post Office is the one with the problems.

Dependency, inefficiency, and cost overruns are the legacy of government. Why should we hope it will be different tomorrow?

John Awana | Kane'ohe

FOES DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'VE MISSED

Clinton Basler and Phil Powers (Letters, Sept. 15) make the case against the public option, saying that we cannot rely on the government to run a health care plan. To both Mr. Basler and Mr. Powers I say that you simply don't know what you're talking about. I have been singularly blessed to benefit from a superb and very cost-effective government-run health care plan for 53 years. This is the plan provided to millions of active and retired federal workers. In the entire nation, there is none finer.

I believe that the greatest gift we could give America would be to expand this wonderful public option and make it available to all. Obviously, public option opponents have no idea how incredibly wrong they are. How a congressional senator or representative, who also benefit from the public option, could oppose it hurts my brain.

Rick Lloyd | Honolulu

SEN. HANABUSA

ELECTORATE DESERVES BETTER THAN EVASION

After reading The Hot Seat responses (Sept. 6) of Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, it is easy to understand the dysfunction of our Legislature. We need to elect someone other than lawyers and career politicians.

Her answers were long and tumbling, evasive and nonconclusive, full of information with no firm answers, the answers of a lawyer and politician, not a responsible elected representative. As the Senate president and leader of a solid one-party majority, why does she need to talk around the answers? We all deserve better than this. As the Democratic leader of our Senate she offered no solutions. Her thoughts on the economy looked to bigger government to fix it, with no solutions to offer local business. She will wait to see if the economy improves.

If she represents the leadership of our Legislature, how sad it will be for us to find solutions from this Legislature. They will provide no answers this election year.

We need representatives who can offer solutions, not to perpetuate their party's status quo. Please don't offer her majority the opportunity to expand their influence in our state.

Bill Comerford | Honolulu

MAJ. GEN. ALEXIS LUM

WARRIOR HERO, FAMILY A TREASURE TO HAWAI'I

I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the family of Gen. Alex Lum.

I was privileged to attend Gen. Lum's services at the Punchbowl cemetery on Sept. 10. Gen. Alex Lum was a trusted servant of and for his nation and he exemplified what a commitment to serving God and country was. He was truly a warrior hero. There is one common thread as strong as a steel cable that runs through Alex Lum's wife, "Auntie Momi Lum," and the Lum 'ohana — it is honor, integrity and dignity, but of the highest order — spiritual honor, spiritual integrity and spiritual dignity.

This Hawaiian 'ohana is a living treasure to Hawai'i nei. May God bless them and watch after them and continue to strengthen them so they may continue to do his good works.

Grady Bintliff | Waimea, Hawai'i

ELDER CARE

THE SEARCH PROCESS CRITICAL TO SUCCESS

I read your article about nursing homes with interest as I had to find care for my father in Hawai'i, although he has since passed away. I think the critical issue here is finding quality care for the elders. While Hawai'i has a wonderful culture that respects and cares for elders, some need to find care outside of the family.

Although I am from Hawai'i, I now live in Minnesota. Trying to find care for my father was challenging. Every night after work, I made countless phone calls to Hawai'i. I finally spoke with someone at the Alzheimer's Association who cared and listened to me. She suggested hiring a private social worker and recommended two organizations to call. The assistance I subsequently received was so wonderful and gave me peace of mind throughout the process. I highly recommend this avenue if your family does not qualify for, or want, outside financial assistance.

Sadly, with elder care, like child day care, one cannot depend upon elders to relay accurate information (which elder care facilities know very well). All you wish for them is skilled and loving care, which can seem elusive. I hope the change for elder care comes soon.

Jocelyn Choy | St. Paul, Minn.