MORE TRANSIT-RELATED COSTS ARE A BAD IDEA

Regarding Beryl Oi's letter ("Officials must make it costlier to own a car," July 13): Why should everyone who owns a vehicle have to pay for a transit system that we will not have the occasion to use?

Not because I like sitting in traffic, or that I like paying for the high price of gas, but rather because the plans for this system do not include my routes from home to work, to my child's school or after-school athletics.

It's bad enough that we all had an increase in the general excise tax to pay for this system; anything more is just absurd.

Rail proponents must look at the island as a whole and not think of what will benefit only the users.

'SICKO'

MEDICAL CARE MUST BE MAKE AVAILABLE TO ALL

Grace-Marie Turner's "free market" commentary on the movie "Sicko" (Focus, July 15) tries to raise old fears about healthcare service in other countries.

Although some British citizens are on waiting lists for medical care, she fails to distinguish between elective or non-urgent care and emergency care.

The 47 million people without medical insurance in the U.S., who include many working Americans, aren't on any waiting list and often don't seek needed medical care because of the cost.

It is estimated that 18,000 Americans die each year because they could not afford medical care.

The market approach advocated by Ms. Turner's organization works well for those who don't have to worry about costs, or about being one layoff away from losing their health insurance. The for-profit medical service organizations and pharmaceutical companies would rather support attacks on Michael Moore than help ensure that medical care is available to all Americans.

SHOWCASES IMMORALITY OF DENYING HEALTHCARE

Regarding "A bitter pill to swallow" in your Focus section July 15: The anti-"Sicko" diatribe is only the beginning of what we can expect to see and hear in the weeks, months and possibly years to come on our national healthcare crisis.

The article accused Michael Moore's film of relying on anecdotal evidence. The anecdotal stuff was interesting, tragic and funny, which made for a great movie experience. Besides, can evidence be anecdotal when nearly everyone has a horror story about healthcare in America?

Moore expressed in the movie that it is immoral to deny healthcare to the sick. For-profit hospitals and insurance companies are doing just that, and Americans are dying. We have a great country with caring people and healthcare should be a right for all, not just for those who can afford it.

Americans have too much to lose if we don't change the system. The healthcare industry has too much to lose if we do. They will continue the assault by generously rewarding our policymakers with campaign contributions and propagandizing us with negative, misleading ads.

Watch for those dire ads on TV, radio and your local newspapers, then remember your own horror story and let your politicians know what we the people think.

CONGRESS

REP. HIRONO HAS BEEN ACCESSIBLE TO DISTRICT

We're lucky to have Professor Ira Rohter in Hawai'i. He's passionate and knowledgeable about a wide array of public-policy topics.

But his recent comments ("Hawai'i Rep. Mazie Hirono pushing agenda, profile," July 5) gave an inaccurate portrayal of Congresswoman Mazie Hirono's representation of her constituents in her first six months in office.

As other residents of the 2nd Congressional District can attest, Rep. Hirono has been tirelessly island-hopping to meet with constituents throughout her far-flung district at every opportunity.

Not only is her district the farthest away from Washington, Rep. Hirono's district also requires the most grueling travel once she returns home. All other members of Congress can drive throughout their districts once they get home.

Rep. Hirono has to fly — and then drive — to talk to her constituents on all Hawaiian Islands.

The media hasn't covered most of Rep. Hirono's district work. But she has made herself accessible in small and large gatherings, and has listened to constituents' concerns on everything from Iraq to healthcare to traffic.

EMPLOYMENT

ADVICE ON FINDING A JOB: PROVE YOURSELF

Regarding the July 15 letter about the shortage of workers: I have seen similar letters from young people not being able to find a job. It seems they never took Economics 101 concerning supply and demand.

Here are some hints for those who believe the economy owes them a living. First, grow up. Do you think there is no competition for "your job?" How do you dress and speak at interviews? Could you be the problem?

Second, get the job first, regardless of location. Once employed, you can gain the experience so you can move where you want to live, not vice versa. I speak from experience having had to live in another city to establish myself before moving to my preferred location.

Third, just because one knows multiple languages means nothing except you can say "I don't have a job" multiple ways. You need skills the employer wants, not what you want.

Fourth, taking an entry-level job is one way to get ahead. I know a company that is promoting rapidly from the nonprofessional areas to their professional slots. They do not always hire directly into those slots.

Finally, start proving yourself. You might actually be pleased with what happens next.

PRISON REFORM

RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS HELP STOP RECIDIVISM

I am in full agreement with the sentiments in your editorial on prison reform (July 16). It is critical that we give released inmates the skills and tools they need to become productive and law-abiding citizens. Research has demonstrated that re-entry programs are key in stopping the intergenerational cycle of addiction, crime and incarceration.

Located in Honolulu, TJ Mahoney & Associates, Ka Hale Ho'ala Hou No Na Wahine (The Home of Reawakening for Women) provides re-entry services for women transitioning from prison to the community. We have contracted with the state Department of Public Safety since 1992 and have served more than 1,200 women in their transition from prison to the community. Sixty-eight percent of our graduates have remained out of prison past the 3-year mark (a benchmark in recidivism), matching best program outcomes nationally.

Everyone benefits when inmates are given the tools and support they need to successfully return to our communities. Successful re-entry programs such as ours help stop the revolving door and contribute to safer communities for all.