NONPROFITS

CARING FOR THOSE MOST IN NEED IN TOUGH TIMES

Mahalo for bringing attention to the dilemma of the nonprofit sector in its struggling effort to continue to serve Hawai'i's vulnerable people. Many agencies have already reduced services and laid off staff, in response to cuts in funding, which directly affect the amount of services that can be provided.

The challenges raised for the nonprofit sector are real and critical. The state has largely abrogated its responsibility for basic health and human services and contracted out this task to nonprofit agencies dedicated to serving those in need.

These agencies have done yeoman's work in keeping domestic violence at bay, designing housing programs for the homeless, bringing early education programs to at-risk mothers and children, tending to the needs of the frail and elderly, and restoring lives of those with substance abuse disorders, mental illnesses and development disabilities. What happens now as budget cuts loom?

PHOCUSED (Protecting Hawai'i's 'Ohana, Children, Under-Served, Elderly, and Disabled) is an advocacy organization newly formed to protect the safety net for those most in need of help. We believe that working together with the consumers of services, the public and private providers of health and human services, the legislative and executive branches of government, we can find ways to keep our keiki, our families and our kupuna healthy and safe in this most difficult of times. We want to be partners in search of creative solutions and ensure that the least harm is done to those who are most vulnerable.

KIDS' DENTAL CARE

PREVENTION THROUGH FLUORIDATION IS WIN-WIN

I was pleased to see The Advertiser's Jan. 13 editorial ("Law change would aid in dental care for kids") that brought needed attention to the poor oral health of too many of our children.

However, I was disappointed that the editorial focused on treatment, while neglecting any mention of prevention. Prevention is the best strategy for improving health, yet it continues to be underemphasized and underutilized.

The American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Task Force on Community Preventive Services are just two of the evidence-based organizations that recommend public water fluoridation.

According to the CDC: "Data have consistently indicated that fluoridation is safe and is the most cost-effective and practical means for reducing the incidence of dental caries (tooth decay) in a community."

In terms of cost-benefit, it's estimated that every dollar spent on water fluoridation saves $38 in treatment.

Hawai'i's children needlessly suffer from poor oral health. Prevention through public water fluoridation can improve our keiki's health and quality of life, while at the same time reducing healthcare costs.

ECONOMIC STIMULUS

PUT MONEY IN HANDS OF THE COMMON PEOPLE

With regards to the present economic stimulus package before Congress, if the politicians really want to stimulate the economy, put the money in the hands of the common people who paid (the appropriate) federal income tax last year. This can be done from either the supply side (handouts in the form of cash) or from the demand side (reduction in federal income tax).

Of course, no matter which side you choose, the federal political government machine, federal civil service system and military must undergo a reduction in force. Since when has any government project gotten a good bang for the buck?

Give the stimulus to the taxpayers to spend on stuff made in America (or better yet, Hawai'i) — talk about a force multiplier — and, no doubt, the best bang for our children's buck! This concept has merits at both the state and county levels, too.

PORTRAYAL OF CRITICS FLAWED IN COUPLE WAYS

In his letter of Feb. 4 ("Do critics wish more misery for citizens?"), Joseph Alexander suggests that those who oppose President Obama's stimulus package and hope that his version fails to pass Congress are somehow unpatriotic.

This misguided logic is typical of the left's criticism of conservatives in America.

The argument is flawed in two respects. First, it presupposes that conservatives anticipate passage of the Obama plan and subsequently hope for its failure in some twisted desire to inflict hardship on American citizens.

Second, it fails to address that Republicans have offered a plan of their own to help those in hard times that involves tax cuts to small businesses that can then grow and help to expand the economy on a long-term basis. Building bridges just ain't gonna cut it. What happens when the trillions are gone and the bridges are all built?

Last week, the always entertaining Rep. Barney Frank was quoted as saying, "I never saw a tax cut that built a bridge." Well, I've never seen a bridge that employed anyone once it was built.

EDUCATION

LEADERS ARE RIGHT; IT'S TIME FOR ACTION, CHANGE

Regarding the "Voices of Educators" column (Feb 1): In summary, it says we need creative, courageous and strong leaders in education and the Legislature.

It is then interesting to note that it was written by an organization that includes in its membership DOE Superintendent Pat Hamamoto, dean of UH College of Education Christine Sorenson, teachers' union president Roger Takabayashi and others. Aren't these the education leaders of this state? If they are really saying that we need new leadership in education, then I agree.

The current leadership has proven over and over these past years that it is unwilling or unable to institute meaningful changes and improvements in our public schools. Instead, it is asking for a continuation or even an increase in funding for public education.

The column ends with, "Now is the time for actions to speak louder than words." Again, they are right. But what it is time for is new leaders in education.

Let's not let them try to shift the blame for the condition of our public schools somewhere else. The responsibility clearly rests on the shoulders of the "Voices of Educators" members. It is clearly time for us to demand improvements and accountability from them.