Obama’s Egypt policy should be principled

The U.S. government has unwisely supported a dictator in Egypt for the past 31 years.

According to Robert Fisk, a respected English commentator with The Independent, the Obama administration has been gutless and cowardly in dealing with the Mubarak regime. It would, indeed, be a hypocrisy to condemn Hosni Mubarak’s violation of human rights of the Egyptian people, since U.S. policies appear to support regimes that violate human rights with financial and weapons support. Is there any reason to believe that the U.S. government supports democracy or peace?

To support a true democracy at home or abroad, the U.S. government must align its deeds with its words. Please do that now, President Barack Obama. You will be one step closer to earning that Nobel Peace Prize.

Taxpayers not getting what they paid for

Let me try to understand the higher annual vehicle fees that were approved by the House Transportation Committee.

Both registration and weight fees will approximately double, yet money that was supposed to be set aside for road maintenance has been taken by lawmakers to help balance the state’s general fund budget in recent years.

Transportation Chairman Joe Souki says, "You get what you pay for" if we want to maintain highways.

So why not have legislators restored the highway funds instead of piling more taxes on us all? 

Would legal gambling be good for the keiki?

If government becomes dependent on tax revenues from gambling and you attach it to education, wouldn’t you want to increase, preserve and protect the revenue from gambling by promoting more gambling? Wouldn’t you want everyone to gamble? For the benefit of the keiki?

Wouldn’t you want the keiki to gamble for their future?

Legal gambling could fund a new symphony

I was at that performance of "Faust," in tears because of the wave of affectionate cheers and applause for the brave remnants of the Hono-lulu Symphony.

Why can’t we have a state lottery? Why are we even considering allowing casinos and slot machines? I’ve seen how a lottery works in England. You just spend a pound ($1.50) for a ticket at the local market or gas station. Then you have the fun of watching the drawing at the end of the week on TV. You might not win, but your community does.

If it supported our symphony musicians, then not only would we have marvelous concerts again but our children on all islands would have the benefit of their outreach programs.

Children need music in their lives, and they’re no longer getting it in our schools.

Comparison of rail to H-3 is off the mark

Richard Borreca’s commentary ("Don’t count on riding rail anytime soon," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 4), is off the mark in comparing the rail project with H-3.

The city has done extensive studies on the project’s environmental impacts. While H-3 never had its environmental impact statement approved, both state and federal authorities approved the rail EIS. In addition, the focus of the existing lawsuit is whether archaeological surveys are required for the entire route before the EIS and other approvals are granted.

The city is committed to do the surveys, when appropriate, prior to construction. It is also important to remember that the corridor that the rail line is using is urban with surrounding development, unlike the H-3 project. The city is confident that all environmental requirements have been met. The city is continuing to work hard in meeting all laws and requirements and to keep the project on track and on budget.

After decades of prudent planning, studies and collaboration with all stakeholders, taxpayers deserve to see the project proceed forward.

FROM THE FORUM

Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.

"Bachmann’s isle visit focuses on repeal of health reform," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 3: U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, chairwoman of the House tea party caucus, is great for Hawaii and for the United States. She is a well-educated attorney who wants the people to pay fewer taxes, not more. She also does not want the people to be enslaved to big banks and the Federal Reserve. Kudos to you, Michelle Bachmann! Mahalo for visiting Oahu and Maui.

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Bachmann is a creation of the press, especially Fox News. Yes, she is amusing, but her inability to answer, or even listen, to difficult questions makes her irrelevant. We need people with real solutions. It is easy to call for tax cuts and less government until you look hard at what that actually means for the poor and middle class.

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"Hawaii GOP lawmakers propose that each bill should state financial impact," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 2: This is not only a good idea, but a very necessary one. Time after time, when programs are enacted into law, the estimates given in testimony are always low-balled by their proponents. The reasons are obvious. The Legislature needs an independent body to provide the estimates. It’s too bad that the proposal is from the Republicans. It will be put in the dead-file bin.

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I bet you this will never get a public hearing. Let’s be real — the Democrats who control this state do not want increased government transparency and accountability on their spending.

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Did they include a statement of financial impact of this bill?

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"$321M in pork gone," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 2: Earmarks are a pretty small amount when compared to the entitlement program spending. That’s where the feds really need to do the work. But this is a good first step.

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Did you notice that most of these earmarks are for programs or projects that we in Hawaii have never heard of? Can you imagine how much government spending has gone on in the past that we were not even aware of? Land acquisition for the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge? Funding for the East-West Center? Organizations like the East-West Center should be funded by those who consider them important during these harsh economic times. They should go out and get money through fundraising. I’m tired of these organizations sucking on our tax dollars like leeches.

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Doesn’t this mean U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye’s seniority means squat and is no longer needed? We should get a younger guy in there who’s up to speed on Hawaii’s problem.

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"Meeting over Haleiwa hotel draws crowds," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 3: The land was taken by the city for a park that was never developed and no one paid taxes on it for over 40 years. This is beyond common sense and the land should be given back to Kamehameha Schools with an apology that the city made a mistake.

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Don’t build the hotel, Andy! The malcontents will burn it down.

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As for me, I’d like a mega-hotel, 15 stories high, with a viewing platform for Puena Point and Avalance when it gets 30 feet. Then I and the hundreds of lookyloos won’t need to drive up to Waimea. P.S.: This is a joke.