The story, “Remaking the tax code” (Star-Advertiser, Sept. 17), offered seven proposals for new tax revenue, completely omitting the most obvious answer — a surcharge on the real estate taxes for new luxury housing units. An editorial also omitted any mention of an increase in real estate taxes (“Adjust spending, not just taxation,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Sept. 24).

There will be thousands of new luxury condominiums in Kakaako priced so high that the majority of kamaaina will not be served. The infrastructure is already inadequate in the area, and the developers’ plans will only exacerbate the situation.

I propose a real estate tax surcharge on all new housing units over $800,000 so that the buyers pay their fair share for local infrastructure improvements. That surcharge should rise in a proportionate manner for the multimillion-dollar units.

The developers, of course, will cry foul and say that the extra tax will deter buyers and thereby hurt the housing crisis. Nonsense. What it will do is put more of the new housing units within reach of the middle class while raising new revenue from the high-end units. By only affecting new sales, current homeowners will not be affected at all.

Donald Rostow

Hawaii Kai

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Focus on spending better, not new taxes

I was enthusiastic when I read the headline, “Adjust spending, not just taxation” (Star-Advertiser, Our View, Sept. 24), until I read the editorial over and over again.

Finally, I thought, the Star-Advertiser realizes that spending cuts are as important as new taxes.

But there is not a single suggestion in the editorial on how to adjust (reduce) spending, yet there are seven new tax ideas.

There are no shortages of ideas on how to create new taxes; Hawaii has been a leader in new taxes for years. But why are there no ideas on reducing or eliminating programs that do not work? We have plenty of those.

Once again the Star-Advertiser advocates taxing elderly federal and state pensioners who have already and continue to pay their fair share of taxes, while the state creates new ways to spend those taxes without restraint. No one minds paying taxes if it is spent wisely and prudently.

Can anyone say rail transit?

Allan Silva

Kailua

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U.S. military is finest, but not ‘democracy’

James Kataoka called the military a “dictatorship” and said it engaged in discriminatory practices (“Discrimination common in military,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 25).

Foremost, the service of Mr. Kataoka is deeply appreciated. The military practices authoritarian as well as persuasive leadership. It is not, and cannot be, a “democracy” and fulfill its missions.

Mr. Kataoka served in an era of discrimination. Times have changed drastically since then. All genders, races and creeds serve in all billets and positions. The United States military continues to improve and is the finest in any the world.

Semper fidelis.

Greg Casler

1st Sgt., U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)

Kailua

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Acts, good or bad, have consequences

A good lesson for all of us came in the article, “Harris United Methodist Church in Nuuanu becomes sanctuary site,” (Star-Advertiser, Sept. 23).

The energy behind this movement comes from the Rev. Rona Mangayayam and Nandita Sharma, a social activist. This could not have been an easy decision.

It takes a real act of faith by these big-hearted women to take into their custody, church and even their homes, people of no known background, without knowledge of their mental and physical condition, and who are likely to be poor, undereducated and with little chance of reasonable employment.

Eventually these people will have to be cut loose into society. With the sky-high cost of homes and rentals in Hawaii, where are they to live — probably, eventually, further populating the ranks of the homeless?

Acts, good or bad, always have hidden consequences.

Art Todd

Kaneohe

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Real patriots believe in free speech for all

Many people are confusing the flag and anthem, symbols of United States, with the ideals and principal values of this country.

It’s just a flag and just a song. Fetishizing an item, then attacking another person’s patriotism, is wrong. Real Americans, real patriots, believe in the Constitution and its promise of free, protected speech.

Real Americans know that “Out of Many, One” is not just a national slogan; it is America’s greatest strength. All of us, whoever we are, wherever we came from, are what make this country great. And America is already great for our inclusive diversity.

We all belong and our country will protect us, because we all matter. As a country we haven’t gotten there yet, but America’s genius is that we keep striving. Nevertheless, we persist. When patriots risk their reputations and careers speaking up, the country moves closer to that vision.

Kris Matsumoto Wong

Kaneohe