Let’s see more analysis of pension tax plan

This letter is prompted by Jeff Pace’s commentary against the governor’s proposed pension tax ("Abercrombie’s pension tax idea is misguided and just plain wrong," Star-Advertiser, Island voices, Feb. 10), along with those that expressed support for it.

While I lean toward the latter, it seems to me that what would greatly help Hawaii’s citizens would be articles in the news media by qualified, independent analysts that cut through the claims and posturing of both sides. Hawaii is faced with a fiscal crisis that could have staggering social consequences. We all know something has to give and none of us wants our ox gored.

Impartiality and fairness may not be easily obtained, but the attempt would be refreshing, and, hopefully, mind-opening.

There is no downside to soda, alcohol taxes

A tax on soda and alcohol is deeply unpopular with state lawmakers?

This leaves me wondering precisely whom these lawmakers represent. Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, the industry giants who lobbied against passage of this bill?

These state lawmakers certainly did not represent me — a voting, taxpaying Hawaii consumer.

Taxing luxury non-necessities that contribute to disease seems an excellent source of revenue to assure continuance of critical state programs. If consumers drink less sugary or alcoholic beverages because of it, I cannot fathom what the downside to that can possibly be.

Taxing soda, alcohol will help in long run

What is wrong with the lawmakers? They would much rather close our schools than tax liquor and sugary soft drinks? I give credit to our governor for thinking about our health and the budget, while the lawmakers think of big business and … well, not our children.

We shouldn’t limit the tax to just sugary drinks — expand it to all highly sweetened and fatty foods, cereals and candy. A tax on these items will lessen the burden of the taxpayer when it comes time to treat the ailments caused by these types of foods. Save our schools, tax our vices.

Gingrich out of line to call Obama amateur

I see that Newt Gingrich has called President Barack Obama’s handling of the Egyptian situation "amateurish." I wonder if Gingrich would describe fellow Republican President George W. Bush’s dealings with the crises he faced while in office as professional.

Invading Iraq on the premise that Saddam had weapons of mass destructio; leaving the incoming president with two wars and an economy on the verge of collapse.

If these things were the result of a professional in charge, I say let the amateur give it a shot without being berated at every turn in the road.

Airport taxi service needs modernization

Honolulu Airport should have a system using computer chips and bar codes purchased by any cab driver who wishes to do business there.

Charge a fee each time a cab enters the cab line at the airport. Magnetic readers and bar-code readers could easily be modified to register cabs in the cab line. Anyone who has been on Japan’s expressways would see how efficient these magnetic readers are. This would open up competition and result in good, hard-working taxis and drivers.

What is alternative if fed rail funds fizzle?

Much was made of the $1.5 billion federal grant as a reason to expedite the construction of the estimated $5.5 billion Honolulu rail project. But if this grant fails to materialize, the Honolulu taxpayers deserve to know whether Mayor Peter Carlisle and the City Council have a viable alternative to how this shortfall will be funded.