Earmarks used by both sides

Richard Borreca’s rant about the damage caused by giddy Republicans and their vow to end earmarks is typical of his incredibly nearsighted, partisan view ("GOP’s earmark victory leaves Hawaii in lurch," Star-Advertiser, On Politics, Feb. 6). It’s time to lend some rational perspective on earmarks.

Earmarks have been used by both sides, Republicans and Democrats. The abuse of the earmark process, as much as anything else, has led to its temporary demise. Earmarks for tattoo removal clinics, unwanted and unneeded highways and other ridiculous programs stand as testimony to a program gone astray.

If this is merely a GOP victory, how does Mr. Borreca explain that President Barack Obama, the country’s top Democrat, stands in firm support of this initiative?

Bingo could help state’s economy

Legalized gambling supposedly would help support Hawaii’s economy. My proposal is simple, economical and lucrative: Allow bingo as a "social gaming" entity.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs would issue licenses to nonprofits, the military, churches and others.

Bingo is already being played as a means of fund-raising. These agencies would pay up to $100 a year for a license and 10-15 percent of their earnings could go to the state.

View planes already ruined

The belief that the elevated rail system will destroy mauka and makai view planes makes me laugh ("Groups oppose elevated rail," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 8).

There is no view plane anymore, only 40-story cement towers obstructing the view.

At one time, Aloha Tower was the tallest building and you could see Diamond Head and the ocean from everywhere. Where were these complaints when these monstrous eyesores were being built?

The physical barrier obstructing our famed Waikiki is not because of the rail. The rail is going to be only the height of a two-story building and it’s open. The people out on the Leeward side need it.

We are all part of this state and we all share the costs of roads, buses, waterways, sewer systems and electricity.

Plastic bags can be very useful

The ban on plastic bags in grocery stores has me completely puzzled. Everywhere I look things are bottled or packaged in plastic — zipper lock, Styrofoam, bubble wrap, etc. Will those also be banned?

My sympathies are with the stores upon which this ban is being forced. Wet produce, chicken and meats not wrapped in plastic will go through paper bags and the bottom will fall out before reaching home. With canvas bags, most will go without washing and end up with bacteria, contaminating whatever new produce or meats will be purchased. Then the stores will be blamed or sued for the contamination.

Plastic bags often kill wildlife

It is only a matter of time before Oahu and the Big Island will have to join the world in reducing plastic bag litter. Our landfills are overflowing. Plastic bags are unsightly, blowing past tourists at best and deadly to the marine mammals and seabirds and honu they kill at worst.

In addition, as Hawaii takes great strides toward renewable energy, the burning of bags seems both inelegant and backward; turning them into greenhouse gases is not exactly making them disappear.

Car speakers’ size not the issue

We have just heard one of the most ridiculous legislative proposals ever: to ban car speakers larger than 6.5 inches in hopes of reducing noise.

The real issue is not the size of speakers but individual responsibility. A ban only makes instant criminals out of innocent people who happen to own a speaker larger than 6.5 inches. It infringes on personal freedom to not let people operate stereos at reasonable volume levels and at legitimate locations. But mostly it will do great harm to the many retail and installation businesses that are struggling in an already tough economy.

Should we ban cars that are capable of exceeding speed limits, too? Innocent people are killed almost daily because of them.

A ban on car speakers is to set precedents that are too great and disproportionate to the so-called harm they cause. It takes away the freedoms and sensibilities that make this country great.