Politicians useless at solving problems

Politicians from both parties warn of the dire consequences of falling over the fiscal cliff, yet, neither will address issues that will make a difference.

They speak of jobs and balance of trade, but no one will question free trade agreements. We also spend trillions on foreign and military aid to countries that are not our allies or friends, who kill our troops and attack our embassies and consulates.

Instead, they focus on social security and Medicare, which we paid for and they have raided and mismanaged. They breach contracts with our military and renege on promises made. They are willing to give more to illegal immigrants than they are to those who have risked their lives for their country.

Why do we keep voting these people into office?

Rudolph Yap
Kaneohe

Hawaii could use Howard Jarvis, too

Mahalo for Cal Thomas’ column highlighting Howard Jarvis, who rose up when elder Californians were losing their homes to taxes ("Where’s Howard Jarvis when America needs him?" Star-Advertiser, Dec. 4).The politicians fought him all the way but he and "the people" won.

Regarding the $5 million for rail art, that money comes from you and me. So, if they take it from us, it should be returned through putting Hawaiian artists to work.

Former Mayor Jeremy Harris spent all that money for art a few years back; how is that holding up? The art and the new sidewalks were like putting lipstick on a pig. The "pig" finally rose up and spewed sewage everywhere.

Those who are asking the tough questions — Sam Slom, Ann Kobayashi and others — please keep trying. It is a very hard job.

Mel Pendleton
Waikiki

Mail-in voting has virtue of simplicity

Hawaii has more than half the voting population voting absentee by mail. Why notconvert every citizen to absentee voting by mail and avoid all the mayhem of Election Day?

There’s the old theory of "KISS" (Keep it Super Simple), which applies to the concept of 100 percent absentee voting. Since converting to this system inOregon,it has proven overwhelmingly successful in not only time and money but also in giving people time to research what they’re voting on. Brochures are sent with the ballots explaining all measures and platforms of those running for office.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced he will propose moving our state toward 100 percent mail-in voting. The people of Hawaii can save the statea lotof money, heartache and stress by just keeping things super simple.

James "Kimo" Rosen
Kapaa

Can’t we all just get along at Christmas?

The letter from Celeste Moss regarding the holiday season ("Season’s reason seems to be lost," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 5) moves me to write regarding this issue of "the true meaning of Christmas," which is a perennial point of disagreement at this time of year.

Can we just say we are in the Yuletide Season, a long-established winter celebration around the world, rather than tagging it with a religious overlay? There is really no reason to pit Jesus against Santa and the elves. Most of the decorations and gift-giving exists outside of the Christian purview and are enjoyed by a wide range of people, regardless of their denominations.

Happy Yuletide to all, and to all a good night!

Linda Umstead
Mililani

Obama’s vacations add to national debt

During the last general election campaign, President Barack Obama emphatically said, "I will work every single day to solve the nation’s problems."

The president doesn’t own a home in Hawaii, but he and his family are returning for their fifth Christmas vacation in Kailua.

Last year, for his Christmas trip, Obama’s family used two government airplanes, which alone cost $1 million, according to news media. It also was reported that the Honolulu police chief made a statement that the White House did not pay the bill for the $40,000 cost for overtime police protection and providing standby ambulance service.

Why can’t Obama go to Camp David for Christmas, and not add to the $16 trillion national deficit?

Richard H. Fujihara
Manoa

GMO supporters betray public trust

At the last City Council meeting, Stanley Chang got accolades for introducing a bill to get cigarette butts off the beach. But when it came time to vote against labeling genetically modified organisms — which many believe cause cancer, DNA damage, birth defects, fetal damage and pesticide poisoning, for openers — he could not get his hand up fast enough. Then Councilman Ernie Martin said that GMO labeling should be a federal issue.

Martin knows full well that Barack Obama, when campaigning in 2008, promised to label GMOs. When Obama got elected, instead of implementing his promise, he appointed "Monsanto Mike" Taylor, a former Monsanto attorney, as U.S. food czar, and Tom Vilsack, another biotech crony, as secretary of agriculture. Will there ever come a time when a politician elected by the people, will actually work on behalf of and for the people?

Hesh Goldstein
Niu Valley

Selling more bonds is just more debt

A recent article reported the Abercrombie administration’s selling of $867 million in bonds as a good deal ("Bond sale nets state lowest interest rate," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 5). But this is more statewidedebt, period.

These bonds are backedby thestate of Hawaii (i.e., the taxpayer). The propaganda earlier wasthat the state is recovering quickly due to the increase in tourism and tax dollars. Why do we need to go intomore debt?

I hope the public is alert and aware.

Larry Wilson
Aiea