Mahalo to Hawaii’s doctors who have taken a stand against Hawaii Medical Service Association’s requirement to receive pre-authorized approval from Arizona for patient imaging tests (“Critical tests are being delayed, some doctors say,” Star-Advertiser, April 27).

We already have a shortage of doctors in Hawaii, and those who have been practicing here for decades deserve to be respected and trusted enough to arrive at an appropriate medical procedure.

Likewise, patients deserve to receive diagnostic exams without suffering delays that may result in unnecessary health risks.

Any negative reaction that causes HMSA to be concerned about its reputation should serve as a reminder that its members are counting heavily on it to expedite, rather than impede, the process for its members’ health protection.

Judy Harbottle

Kakaako

Status quo has failed us, thus we have Trump

We’re an interesting species. We rarely take responsibility for our actions or inactions.

Our political climate created and gave life to a Donald Trump, as well as the last eight years of gridlock in Congress, the last 15 years of continuous wars and loss of lives and resources in the Middle East, the crumbling of our country’s infrastructure, the failure of our schools, the loss of jobs to Third-World countries, the massive disparity between the haves and have nots, and the increase in the number of people living with food scarcity or living paycheck to paycheck.

Most of us are fed up with the system and tired of do-nothing politicians who give lip service to our needs during the political season.

And then Donald Trump appears; the last person you would ever want to represent you as your president.

But, we’re all thinking about voting for him because the status quo isn’t working.

Chuck Cohen

Kalama Valley

Kudos to Ige and others opposed to bigoted laws

I read with alarm the “bathroom law” letter filled with self-righteous fears (protect our children from predators) and moralistic judgments (homosexuals are turning us into Sodom and Gomorrah) (“Bathroom law is common sense,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 13).

What a contrast with the adjacent commentary by Kathleen Parker, who exposed this North Carolina law against transsexuals as discriminatory and strongly opposed by the corporate world (“Anti-LGBT legislation puts bull’s-eye on North Carolina”). I’m thankful that we remain more open and accepting here in Hawaii and applaud Gov. David Ige and other governors throughout the nation who oppose such laws.

Col. John A. DeSaegher

U.S. Army, retired chaplain

Ewa Beach

It seems we no longer can think for ourselves

Do we need a government agency to tell us not to drive across a rain- swollen road, into a flooded freeway underpass, or around a barricade?

Recent flooding in Houston raises the question, “What happened to common sense?” (“Deaths on inundated roads spark push for better alerts,” Star-Advertiser, April 22).

If flooding is occurring, it’s our responsibility to pay attention to changing conditions. We are responsible for our safety. Unfortunately, government has to pass laws to protect us from ourselves. Some municipalities make it illegal to walk and text. Hawaii has a law forbidding holding or using an electronic device while driving. Many ignore this law.

Are we becoming complacent? Arrogant? Less intelligent? Are we incapable to think for ourselves?

My teacher once said, “Common sense is not very common.”

So true.

Robert K. Soberano

Moiliili