Letters for Sunday – October 22, 2006

• How much are we supposed to tolerate???

• Don’t put drug center at Salt Pond!

How much are we supposed to tolerate???

What is the absolute inviolate bottom line needed in a democracy?

I am not sure I know the answer, but an objective, reasonable, accurate process of voter-registration, and an accurate tally of all votes cast MUST be at the top of the list.

After all, if we can’t be confident that our vote will be accurately recorded, what is left of our democracy?

Yet I read in a recent survey that 61 percent of Americans asked believe that there will be technical glitches in their voting machines. And 66 percent — yes, that is two thirds of the approximately 1,100 persons asked — think that “hackers or political operatives will prevent the machine from producing an accurate count.”

These astounding recent survey results come after the 2004 and 2000 election problems!

At what percent do we as citizens say ENOUGH? Does the percent have to get to — 75 percent, 90 percent or what?

If you love our democracy, and cherish our right to have a vote as I do, then write your Congressional Representative and Senator and ask for some corrective action.

I think the percentages are already too high, especially in view of the fact that we have had two questionable presidential elections already, and the problem is not solved yet!!!

• Scott Robeson

Hanalei

Don’t put drug center at Salt Pond

Please don’t build a drug treatment center at Salt Pond. Lots of kids play baseball and swim at Salt Pond. They will be unsafe if drug users are there. My papa shows me how to make Hawaiian salt there. I play volleyball and hide and seek with my cousins there. People who live in the neighborhood will feel unsafe.

Please put the drug center away from neighborhoods and public places because kids need a place to play where they know that they are safe.

• Krysta Kali, age 11

‘Ele‘ele