• Missing a crucial vote • Way to go, DOT • Health insurance • Police presence needed • Bring families together • KIUC radio show a waste of money Missing a crucial vote I’m missing something (actually, probably a lot of things), but
• Missing a crucial vote • Way to go, DOT • Health insurance • Police presence needed • Bring families together • KIUC radio show a waste of money
Missing a crucial vote
I’m missing something (actually, probably a lot of things), but this particular miss deals with why in heaven’s name former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie is not living up to his obligation to serve the full term he was elected to serve, which I understand lasts until January.
I think that doesn’t look very honorable.
And I was under the impression that his Democratic vote would be needed in this totally partisan session of Congress, especially on health care and maybe other salient issues important to the people he’s supposed to be serving.
If I understand it correctly, the cost of an election to provide Hawai‘i with a substitute to sit in Abercrombie’s seat until the term is supposed to have been completed is to be borne by the good ol’ taxpayers so this former representative can get an early start on his bid for governorship of Hawai‘i.
The delay between now and the conclusion of the election for a replacement may cause Hawai‘i’s Democratic electorate to miss a crucial vote. Bah!
Georgia Mossman, Kapa‘a
Way to go, DOT
I was on my way to Lihu‘e today around noon and saw your signs for traffic safety. What is more important than saving lives? You are on a good start to doing just that.
One important thing I did observe is the vendors on the side of the road are very distracting to drivers, especially during rush hour (around the college area). I thought we had certain events where people could sell their produce, etc. I mean no disrespect for people trying to make a living, I know how hard times are, but when you consider lives being taken — please consider some safe areas and alternatives for business.
Mahalo and blessings for your part in trying to save lives.
Rosemary McCullough, Lawa‘i
Health insurance
It’s going to take two Senatorial elections to correct the Senate sellout to the health insurance lobby. First I am going to vote Republican and urge my friends to do the same in order to get rid of the present Democrat senators. Then I am going to vote Democrat for a new bunch of Democrats and hope that they understand that we loyal Democrats will not countenance any further betrayals of our basic principles.
Drastic circumstances require drastic action. The Senate sellout to the health insurance’ lobbyists is the most repugnant event that I have experienced in a long time. We are experiencing the results of their infidelity immediately, as the health insurance companies are in negotiations with the Congress and the president’s office to raise our rates. Television is calling our government broken. The only way that we can fix it is to vote the rascals out and hope that new ones that we vote in will tread the straight and narrow for at least one term.
Harry Boranian, Lihu‘e
Police presence needed
I could not disagree more with the letter regarding the police presence on the South Shore (“South Shore under siege,” Letters, March 5).
I have found the Kaua‘i Police to be both polite and helpful and I believe that the presence of a police office in Koloa is an asset to the South Shore.
If the police are not around and something happens, we complain about our particular community not getting enough attention and protection from them. I believe that their presence on the South Shore is appropriate and, unfortunately, necessary.
Linda Estes, Koloa
Bring families together
The 7th Eastside Family Summit held recently at Kapa‘a High was the premier event of the year.
There were over 30 booths with activities and valuable information for families and keiki. There were over 1,000 people who attended this amazing event. Manulele Clark was the fabulous emcee introducing numerous speakers, dancers, drummers, singers and live theater — all for the family.
A big mahalo to Clark, Bridget Arume, Sue Saldana and Francesco Garripoli.
I look foward to the 8th Eastside Family Summit next year. It is so important to bring families together and this event was the proof.
Richard Porto, Princeville
KIUC radio show a waste of money
We pay the highest utility rates in the nation. Our cooperative donates a portion to charity. This may be laudable if the donations were mainstream like cancer research or earthquake relief. KIUC sponsors a program called “Democracy Now” on “our community radio station” KKCR.
If you are unfamiliar with this program it is so left-wing as to make Leon Trotsky stand and cheer along with Rev. Wright. Free speech is fine and dandy but KIUC is a regulated monopoly meaning they are the only game in town. About 20 percent of the population calls themselves “liberal” but 80 percent donate to a political cause not their own.
Suzanne Woodruff, Kapa‘a
