Early states had ‘state’ religions

When it comes to the "separation of church and state" and Moanalua High School, Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi did not make the right decision.

Our Founding Fathers never sought to suppress the expression of religious sentiment in public life. As president of the Senate, Thomas Jefferson personally approved the use of the Capitol building for Sunday worship services. Jefferson also authorized weekly worship services at the War Department and the Treasury Building.

The "establishment" clause of our Constitution was designed to unite the colonies. The American colonies did not want their Christian "state" religions to be superseded by a national state religion, i.e. the Church of England. It had absolutely nothing to do with limiting religious expression.

If we don’t begin to show a little courage, we are not going to have any rights left at all. We can begin by refusing to accept misinterpretations of our Constitution.

Nathan Post
Santa Barbara, Calif.

Right-to-work will hurt labor

This week Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law a right-to-work bill against thousands of Michiganders’ protests.

The law itself allows workers to decide whether to join unions and pay dues. Yet, every worker, member or not, will receive all benefits the union gains in wages, health insurance and better working conditions. Very intentionally, money needed for effective collective bargaining will be dramatically reduced. Wages will go down. Less available money also will mean less support for political candidates who favor unions.

The American Legislative Exchange Council, which proposed the bill’s language, designs and pushes highly controversial and stringently conservative legislation state by state. It behooves every citizen to be alert to its activities.

Virginia Aycock
Kakaako

HSTA prolongs teachers’ pain

As a teacher, I was very disheartened to hear that the Hawaii State Teachers Association, the same union to which I pay my dues, turned down a 5 percent pay increase for me.

That’s right. The union that I pay to represent me, turned down a pay increase for me. Why? It believes I deserve a 12 percent pay increase. When we were forced into our last contract, we took a 5 percent pay decrease.

A month ago, we were asked by HSTA to tell Gov. Neil Abercrombie how we had suffered after the cut. For many, it was cutting back on groceries or more drastic measures like waiting to have children. For me, it was putting my school loans in forbearance.

So what does HSTA do to help us out and in response to our cries about financial hardships? It turns down the offer to give us that 5 percent back. It decided we could survive a little more time without a contract and without the money we deserve. Thanks, HSTA.

Matt Pollard
Mililani

Rail is better for Big Island

Spending any money for rail on Oahu is small-minded. Honolulublossomedin the 1950s and you’ll never get the density down enough in Honolulu to return to the good ol’ days.

Send the money to the Big Island, where the greatest mid-Pacific metropolis is waiting to be built. This continued keeping-down of the greatest island while dumping money into Oahu isinexplicable.

A circular Kona-Hilo rail at the 1,500-foot level servicing mass industrial parks and communities alike is the idea. Oahu, write it off.

Matt McLaughlin
Kailua-Kona

More inspectors needed for PVs

Don’t blame the city inspectors or Hawaiian Electric Co. for the photovoltaic solar system approval backlogs. The City Council is going after the wrong entities.

After five months with a very prominent PV company and dates set for installation, I canceled my contract. The company had not initiated the permit process.

The city should fine any and all homeowners who allow system installation without a posted permit. The system should be removed and the company that installed the system without first obtaining a permit should have its business license revoked.

Shortly after my permit was approved, HECO installed the net meter.Very shortly after installation, the city approved it. It takes time to do it right but there is no other way.

More city inspectors may help with the legitimate backlog.There should be severe consequences for those circumventing the system.

Pauline Arellano
Mililani