Detroit With Palm Trees

Dear Editor,    November 28, 2016

I guess we should rejoice now that the State Senate has gone 100% Democrat.

Watching them celebrate knocking out Sam Slom reminds one of the football team up 56-0 with a minute left on the clock and still throwing for another touchdown.

Its never enough is it?

So they own it all after all these years and what a list of achievements!

 1. A bankrupt Rail project

 2. Millions of dollars of deferred maintenance and repairs of state facilities and equipment

 3. 45th ranking among US states and Puerto Rico in fiscal solvency

 4. #1 in teacher absenteeism

 5. 49th rank in top states to do business

 6. Highest consumer prices in USA

 7. 3rd highest excises taxes in USA

 8. State Pension system with huge unfunded liability

 9. 50th in cost of living

10. Hawaii least tax friendly state in USA 

11. Hawaii short 500 doctors

12. Traffic gridlock amongst worst in USA

13. 13th in state and local debt per capita

14. Worst in nation(50th) in total state debt and unfunded liabilities as % of GSP

The above list is far from complete and the statistics can change year to year but one gets the picture loud and clear. So there are still 6 House members to be eliminated before Hawaii gains the rare distinction of being 100% under the rule of Democrats. Still a few touchdowns to score!

Lets top all of that off by sending 4 more to a Republican controlled Washington.

That make a lot of sense!  What crumbs will trickle down now to help cushion the aforementioned problems?

For sure expect taxes and more taxes.  They'll disguise them, call them other names but its in their DNA to overspend and kick the whole mess down the road to our kids and grandkids...

Auwe!

Hawaii is Detroit with palm trees!

Jim Higgins,

Puuanahulu, Hawaii

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Trump Monster

Dear Editor,     November 10, 2016

The media created Donald Trump.  He was supposed to be Dr. Frankenstein’s monster; sewn together to destroy the other Republican candidates and then easily destroyed when they revealed his ugliness.  But, the “monster” proved too strong and bit them on the butts.

The reason we had only two “bad” candidates for president is because we no longer vote for the “good” candidate.  For decades, we have stopped being Americans.  Instead, we vote for our specific special interests over our country.  So a “good” candidate cannot survive all the way.

Most of the most publicized polls and experts (even Time magazine’s 2 cover stories were that Trump’s campaign had melted down) were wrong simply because sometimes polls and experts tell you what they want you to believe.

Trump may grow into a good president if he learns humility.  He will excel at the behind closed door deals that a president does.

Leighton Loo

Mililani, Oahu

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How Can a Non-Democrat Run as a Democrat in Waianae?

Dear Editor,    November 5, 2016

Cedric Gates was removed from the Democratic membership because of violating party rules and was told he could not apply for membership for three years. The Waianae community is upset that the Democratic leaders are allowing Gates to run when they know he is not legally a member.

He is also under investigation for not reporting campaign donation to support his campaign. The Star-Advertiser has an article, but they only talk about one donation, but there are several large donations that are in question. At our neighborhood board meeting on Tuesday people were upset as they found out what is coming out about Cedric Gates.

The big question is, "how can a non-Democrat be allowed to run as a Democrat?"

Calvin Endo

Waianae Neighborhood Board Member