GAMBLING, TAX HIKES ARE TWO VIABLE OPTIONS

Gov. Linda Lingle should realize that forcing a single group to carry the burden of the entire state is not a solution. Although supporters may agree that cutting thousands of jobs is a worse alternative, they must recognize that layoffs are not the only option; it's simply the only option Gov. Lingle is considering.

In fact, numerous economists have come up with other viable options. Legalizing gambling could bring in extra revenue and revamp our sluggish tourism industry. According to various sources, legalizing gambling could increase state revenues up to $700 million dollars annually. That would cover our current two-year deficit and revamp our sluggish tourism industry.

Another possible solution that has not been considered fairly is a slight increase in the Hawai'i general excise tax. Currently, our tax is at 4 percent whereas California's sales tax is at 7.25 percent, while numerous other states' sales taxes range between 5 and 7 percent. Although it is not ideal, if it means saving our state workers from sacrificing 14 percent of their personal income, raising the excise tax by 1 or 2 percent seems justified.

Natalia Lugani | Honolulu

TRAVEL INDUSTRY ALREADY SUFFERING

In response to Gregory Mishima's and Walter Takeuchi's letters (June 22), not only state employees are being asked to bite the bullet. I think I should inform Mr. Takeuchi that the state's economy is already hurt. Those working in the travel industry have been in financial trouble for months, and at my hotel, we have been working four-day work weeks with an occasional three-day work week for months. The Advertiser printed an article recently stating that there are almost 50,000 unemployed in Hawai'i (June 20).

At my hotel, we have had our pay cut about 28 percent for several months already, so it really looks to me like state workers shouldn't complain about a 14 percent cut in pay. I'd love to have my pay brought back to just a 14 percent pay cut.

I don't want a temporary increase in the GET on top of my loss of five or six days a month; I don't think that's fair. I understand the state employees' concerns, but there are a lot of people already suffering worse than they would be with the three-day furloughs, and an increase in the GET to help the state employees would be very unfair to those of us already making such great sacrifices.

Terrence Ching | Honolulu

UNPAID TIME OFF A BETTER ALTERNATIVE

The state does not have enough money. What are its options? It could rob a bank, but that's not socially acceptable. It could also rob me and my neighbor. They call that taxation, and that is socially acceptable.

But the state also has other options. That is reducing expenses. Usually the first choice is laying off employees. Genuinely tough on them. No paychecks for thousands! The second choice is furloughs. Smaller paychecks but still paychecks for all of them.

Now the opponents of furloughs (Mr. Nihipali's letter on June 21 is just one of many) display — quite vocally — a remarkable lack of knowledge of basic economics. They argue that the reduced income, and consequently reduced spending, will have a negative effect on the economy.

Yes, correct, absolutely. But what alternative do they offer? Rob me (oops, tax me) and my neighbor, take that money out of our pockets. Guess what? There will be exactly(!) the same amount of money less to spend in our economy.

The only difference is that now I and my neighbor will have less money to spend on the economy, while the opponents of furloughs still keep their pockets full.

Gerhard C. Hamm | Wai'alae Iki

POLICE CHIEF

COMMISSION SHOULD SEARCH WITHIN HPD

The Honolulu Police Commission should select the best and most qualified applicant applying for the chief's position from within the Honolulu Police Department. There are many candidates from the rank of captain up to deputy chief who are highly capable of running the department.

An appointment from within would minimize any transitional moves, and the new chief can hit the ground running. Someone from the outside would have a prolonged learning curve, which could take up to a year or more. Most of all, he would have to get to know his upper echelon personnel and their capabilities and shortcomings; this in itself will be time consuming.

The commission need not look far for HPD's next leader.

Steven T.K. Burke (retired, former SHOPO president) | Pearl City

ANNIE'S MAILBOX

ADVICE COLUMN DEALS WITH REAL LIFE

In the June 21 edition of The Honolulu Advertiser, Mark Platte expressed his displeasure at the newspaper publishing the advice columns titled "Annie's Mailbox."

Platte claimed the letters posted on the advice columns were "crossing the line" and said those letters mentioned situations that "did not seem to match anything that (Platte's) co-workers, friends and family were going through."

I'm in favor of the newspaper keeping Annie's Mailbox because they deal with many real-life situations, especially ones most people are too ashamed to mention to their "co-workers, friends and family" for fear of being stigmatized.

Pablo Wegesend | Honolulu