Cayetano asked good question

Gov. Ben Cayetano raised some rather good questions in "Telling the truth is no disservice" (Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, March 25).

I was particularly concerned to see the question, "What will the city do if none or only part of the federal funds is approved by Congress?"If the federal government does not come up with $1.5 billion, as the current mayor and HART seem convinced it will, the taxpayers of Honolulu will have to pony up another $1,500 each ($6,000 per family of four). That’s a lot of money for my family.

I would like to know how the city will fund the $80 million annual maintenance and operation costs for rail. With the necessary increases in water and sewer rates, not to mention the increase in gas prices, our family is going to have less and less to meet our needs. I have no doubt that we will end up paying higher taxes in order to operate rail, if it is built.

James Meyer
Kailua

Don’t squander funds on library

Why does Aiea need a new library? We constantly hear from our politicians that the state has no money. Let us save the millions of dollars it would cost to build a new library and spend it where we need it.

Most everyone today is using an iPad, Kindle, Nook, etc., to download books, music and movies. Public and private schools are supplying their students with iPads. Technology has changed the needs of the community. Ten years ago, when the plans for the new Aiea library were initiated, hardcover books may have been the primary way to read and research. Today, we read books from our iPad and we research via the Internet. The need to go to the library has diminished.

I was told by an aide in my state House representative’s office that if we didn’t spend the money, another district would get the funds for a library. Does this make sense?

Let’s use the money for more urgent needs.

Kathryn Okazaki
Halawa Heights

Someone should be accountable

Recent articles have highlighted the mismanagement of the state’s shrinking resources compounded by overpayment to individuals throughout the bureaucracy.

I have not read, heard or seen where the responsible managers have been disciplined or in what manner. These poor incompetents apparently don’t know how to use a pencil, paper or adding machine.

Your taxpaying readers working in private industries know that if their superiors allowed this to happen, they would be terminated.

Edward Gencarelli
Kailua

Obamacare is not the solution

Like the government, insurance companies can take money only from folks who don’t use many services and give it to folks who use more — plus administrative costs, of course.

Unlike the government, however, they cannot print money. That’s why the rates continue to rise.

Obamacare doesn’t change that trajectory at all; It just mandates more people who don’t use many services to throw money into the pot for those who do. And because it adds much more administrative costs through ballooning regulation, it will only make things worse in the end.

Our health care delivery system definitely needs an overhaul, but not this.

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution clearly and elegantly affirmed that each of us has the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness. But nowhere did it even imply that any of us are entitled to anything from life or our government, or that the government should be able to make us do anything.

Jim Wolery
Kaneohe

APEC’s over, so neglect resumes?

Now that the first large palm tree has been cut down (near the Waiakamilo Fire Station on Nimitz) and with all the renewed steel plates back on Ala Moana boulevard after being resurfaced for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, does this mean that it’s back to business as usual for our roadway beautification projects?

Looks like things might just continue to go downhill from here. I wonder when the first sprinkler systems will break and the median grass will begin to die?

Harry Ellis
Foster Village