DEMOCRACY

KIDS VOTE HAWAI'I GETS YOUNGSTERS INVOLVED

Don't be surprised to hear your child say, "I am voting, are you?"

Kids Voting Hawai'i is giving every public and private school student, kindergarten through 12th grade, the opportunity to cast a general election ballot online through Nov. 4.

When students go to www.kidsvotinghawaii.org and enter their personal password and their family's precinct and district numbers, they get virtually the same ballot their parents will see when they go to the polls.

The kids' ballot includes age-appropriate issues that were, in part, proposed by the Hawaii State Student Council. Students will have a say on everything from conditions on campus, the environment and transportation to whether their student representative on the Board of Education should have a vote. Results will be announced immediately after the adult polls close election night.

This hands-on experience in the democratic process gives students a voice, inspires them to engage in dialogue with peers and parents, develops their civic responsibility, and gets them into the habit of voting as adults.

The remarkable technology of Commercial Data Systems, the dedication of school teachers and administrators, the educational mentorship from Alpha Delta Kappa, and the commitment of Kids Voting Hawai'i volunteers and supporters, combine to make this portal to the future a reality today.

As Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, "We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future." And one way to do that is to give our youth a voice.

MIDEAST

TIMING IS CURIOUS IN U.S. ATTACK ON SYRIA

The timing of the U.S. military attack on Syrian territory is curious, isn't it?

Should we really be surprised that the Bush administration would stoop to this to sway public opinion away from the failed economic policies of the past eight years?

Using the old "October surprise" in Syria may be intended to shift voters' attention away from the economy, which Obama addresses effectively, and toward McCain/Palin, who seem to support the Bush doctrine of invading any countries we please.

Next thing you know we'll be hearing about voting irregularities in certain swing states.

PARADISE LOST

WAIKIKI TENT CITIES UNSAFE AND UNSIGHTLY

I have been coming to Hawai'i twice a year for more than 20 years. I have even brought my sales team and their families over as reward for a job well done.

But I will be making other destination plans from now on. The beauty and "escape" factor is no longer there. The walk along the makai sidewalk at the Queen's Surf area between the zoo and the Natatorium has been a favorite daily excursion for me. But the encampment of what seems to be city-sanctioned tent cities all along the sidewalk has made it unsafe and unsightly for anyone to enjoy.

Why can't the city enforce the law, or is it perfectly acceptable to live 24/7 at this site? I am sorry I have been paying for expensive hotel rooms when all I had to do was get a tent, a beach chair, a barbeque and a bike and sit and drink my liquor and harass passing tourists for money so I can get on my bike and buy more beer.

This really is "Paradise Lost."

PRESIDENTIAL RACE

BLAME DEMOCRATS, UNIONS FOR LOSS OF JOBS

I admire John McCain for his honesty when he admitted he doesn't understand economics.

While economics specialists are needed to explain different aspects from main street to international finance, Barack Obama pretends to have all the answers to solve economic problems. He is overly simplistic to think that taxing corporations and redistributing wealth to the middle class will solve everything.

When Mr. Obama repeats the mantra that corporations are moving overseas and American workers are losing their jobs, we have the Democrats and their labor union allies to blame.

Companies move for favorable tax breaks and cheaper labor. Some companies are moving back to the U.S. because of corporate tax breaks such as Mr. McCain proposes.

Labor costs are out of control. In Hawai'i, labor has killed off our sugar and pineapple industries and threatens tourism, healthcare and education, to name a few. The U.S. auto industry is going under the burden of fringe benefits for union workers. We may not have GM and Chrysler for very long.

Large and small companies create jobs. Empty factories and closed store fronts do not hire workers.

VOTERS SHOULD HEED SEN. BIDEN'S WARNING

Recently, President Bush announced that he had started the transition process on national security, for both John McCain and Barack Obama.

Shortly after this announcement, Sen. Joe Biden gave clear warning that there will be an international incident if Obama is the next president. He also announced that we the people won't like the response.

His announcement was seconded by former Secretary of State Madeline Albright.

Of course there is all kinds of spin on it now, but voters, listen to Sen. Biden. There is courage of conviction in his message. It is up to us as voters if we will heed his warning. Please vote for John McCain.

PRESIDENTIAL RACE

VIETNAM VET SUPPORTS OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

A lot of us still remember the social unrest and pain that the unjust Vietnam War caused our country. It was a war that could have been avoided.

I felt shame and embarrassment upon my return from Vietnam. When I saw how President Bush and Vice President Cheney wrongfully attacked Iraq, to avenge the first President Bush, I knew that it was wrong. Obviously we had forgotten the sad lesson from Vietnam. Sen. Barack Obama has been consistently against the war in Iraq. Sen. John McCain is still plugged into that sick military mindset that has created so much pain, anger, loss of life and shame.

It is obvious that McCain still doesn't understand the incredible damage that has done by deregulation and greed. His involvement as part of the Keating Five should have taught him a lesson — but didn't. Picking Sarah Palin only exacerbates the pathetic and desperate attempt into tricking people into voting for him.

I have recently heard leaders from around the world saying that if we can get Obama elected, then we will once again have the support of the world community.

As a Vietnam veteran, I fully support the sanity and morally right leadership of Barack Obama along with Joe Biden's great experience.

PRESIDENTIAL RACE

MISSING SOMETHING IN POWELL'S ENDORSEMENT

John McCain voted for the war in Iraq, and Barack Obama has criticized his judgment.

Colin Powell went to the United Nations and sold the war in Iraq to the world, and Barack Obama is thrilled with his endorsement. Am I missing something?

RAIL

TAXES WILL ONLY GO UP IF RAIL IS APPROVED

If there is any thing good about the current financial mess that this nation is experiencing, it is that it happened before election day.

Given the present projections of a possible depression, no prudent person would knowingly take on extra debt and spend his own money on a project of dubious value, especially if he didn't know its true original and enduring costs.

Wake up, voters on O'ahu. Ask yourself why fixed rail is such a hard-to-sell endeavor. Will it solve traffic gridlock? Will ridership be enough to sustain it? Are we being sold out to appease the unions? You know the answers.

The viable alternatives such as increased bus service and HOT lanes have not been tried here. The environmental impact statement for the portion of the proposed HOT lane from Ke'ehi Interchange to City Mill is completed and the project could start right away. Why doesn't the mayor tell us this?

With tourism floundering, our tax base is decreasing sharply. You know taxes will skyrocket if this ridiculous rail project is enacted. Vote on Nov. 4 to save your money for worthwhile projects that enhance the whole community and actually solve problems.