DEAR MR. PRESIDENT...

Members of The Advertiser's Teen Editorial Board offer their thoughts for President Barack Obama:

MAKE DECISIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT ALL CITIZENS

Your campaign slogan "yes we can" was a perfect counter to the Bush administration's seeming disregard for popular opinion and will of the people.

When you step into office, remember that "we" as a nation are also entering a new era, where we need a president who can make decisions that benefit all the citizens of this great nation.

WE NEED QUALITY EDUCATION TO BECOME FUTURE LEADERS

Our country is in need of new leadership now more than ever. The issue that affects me the most is the future of our education. As teenagers, the role we play in this world now will be one that can change tomorrow as we become leaders in the future.

With an economy so tight in spending, we fear that we may have to choose our basic needs over education. Please give us the opportunity to prepare ourselves to become the contributing members of tomorrow's society. Best wishes to you and your administration.

OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH

Although you have tremendous expectations from the American people, you have given hope to everyone that a new beginning is possible. You have called for an era of change and have shown to us that America is a place where all things are possible and that our democracy is strong.

While you make efforts to improve the economy, make America less dependent on foreign oil imports and resolve the conflict in Iraq, I wish you the very best and hope the Congress will work with you to solve America's problems and bring change to our downtrodden economy.

OUR HOPES ARE STRONG; MAKE GOOD ON PROMISE OF CHANGE

You more than anyone else have the power to change the direction of our country. You hold our nation's fate in the very palm of your hand.

The American people have placed their faith in you. We as a people expect you to come through with your promises. You have asked us to have hope, and we have been hopeful. Now it is your turn.

You have promised us change. A change for the better. A formidable task is ahead of you, President Obama, but it is one I believe you are ready for.

REVITALIZE OUR WEAK ECONOMY TO SUSTAIN FUTURE GENERATIONS

For this new chapter in American history, I would like to see our nation's economy come out of the messy ditch we have fallen into. Every American's lifestyle has been tough, and forced to be on a tight budget. I cannot afford to see the ones I love unemployed because times are hard. I cannot afford to see small businesses shut down because they can no longer afford to stay open.

I want to be able to sustain myself throughout my college career. I have faith in you, Mr. President. Please do not let me down.

SALARIES

LEGISLATORS' RAISE SMALL VS. A STATE SHUTDOWN

I was amused that Gov. Linda Lingle "suffered in silence" when the executive branch received two pay raises based on the findings of the state's Commission on Salaries. Yet when the legislative branch is about to receive its salary adjustment, based on the same study, she howls in anguish.

I spend a lot of time at the Capitol during the session. The legislators and their staffs earn every penny of their meager salaries. They work extremely long hours under "pressure cooker" conditions. Legislators handle a broad array of issues and make difficult decisions while trying to balance a variety of competing interests and addressing constituent concerns.

After reading Saturday that the needless shutdown of the state (for potential 60 mph gusts) cost taxpayers $8 million (double the amount of the annual adjustment for legislators), I don't want to hear another peep out of the governor.

The state has too many real problems to address. Let's stay focused on moving the state forward and stop all the sniping and grandstanding about implementing the findings of the Commission on Salaries, which amounts to .04 percent of the governor's budget, the equivalent of four hours of state operation.

PROPERTY TAXES

RAISE DOESN'T MAKE SENSE IN WAIMANALO

Here we go again. The city assessor is killing us with a raise in property taxes. Our property here in Waimanalo has not changed in the last year. It's still the same as in 2008, even in 2007. Our assessment went up $205,200 in just the past year.

We have a problem here; our streets have not been paved completely since moving here (25 years ago), we have no upgraded sewers, new street lights, water hydrants or sidewalks.

We have not had a home sale on our street for years and yet we keep getting a raise in taxes.

We need to stop this stealing of our hard-earned money. Somehow we need to check to see if the mayor and this assessor raised their own property taxes to set an example for the rest of us.

TV PLANNING

REINSTATE GUIDE TO HELP WITH ADVANCE TAPINGS

I was very disappointed that the weekly TV schedules were nonexistent in Sunday's Advertiser.

The Advertiser's weekly TV guide is the only thing that lasts through the week on the living room coffee table. We use it to plan evenings and to schedule tapings in advance on the coming week.

Please reinstate the TV week section of the Sunday Advertiser.