U.S. needs better economic model

China’s investment model has two distinct components: It targets the future, and it’s based on government policy and not "free market" presumptions.

Because it works more efficiently, it forces those, who still play by the rules in a free market massaged by "invisible hands," to claim unfair competition.

Should we not be competing with China economically rather than trying to control China’s behavior?

President Barack Obama has put forth a jobs creation package that strives to restore jobs and infrastructure. Consequently, it focuses on immediate social needs, and presumes that the future will be a repeat of the past.

Instead, should we not shift our focus to the future — target alternative energy, biotechnology, next-generation information technology, energy conservation and environmental protection, as China has done, and compete for the lead?

Robert Tellander
Ala Wai

Council wimped out on rail issue

Will wonders never cease! Finally, crumbs are thrown to the reading public via the Nov. 3 Kevin Dayton article reporting the rejection by seven shameless rubberstamping City Council people of a reasonable proposal seeking a second vote on the rail ("Council rejects proposal seeking second rail vote," Star-Advertiser).

Mind you, not stop the rail, just another cheaper one perhaps? The more I hear of this rail and how it’s so flawed, full of insider privileges, self-serving politicians and their handlers, it makes me sick. Bad enough that taxpayers are force-fed this steel-on-steel monstrosity; we’re told there can be no reconsideration of styles that would be cheaper.

Only Council members Tom Berg and Ann Kobayashi showed signs of sanity and took a stand for us.

Others forget that seniors islandwide will be crushed under the huge tax burden coming with this rail.

Oliver Souza
Kapolei

Names illegible on war memorial

The medals won by the 100th Battalion are mind-blowing. They were about the greatest soldiers in our history.

But the names of their dead comrades, formerly in gold on the World War II memorial at the busy corner of King and Punchbowl streets, have been obliterated by white paint and thus become illegible. We are even fenced away from them.

How shameful. And those names are still obliterated even after the monument was recently repaired.

Jim Beaman
Honolulu

Dying is issue for patients, not state

Dennis Muth states that "dying is never a private matter" ("Choice of living, dying never private," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 1).

He asserts that empowering dying cancer patients to seek aid in dying from their physicians "reflects absolute selfishness … "

People who want the choice of aid in dying don’t want to die. Dying patients have no life to live. They face an imminent, inevitable death.

Majorities of people in Hawaii favor permitting terminally ill patients to make their own choices about their final days. No religion should impose its beliefs on the whole community. The principle of patient self-determination is enshrined in Hawaii law. Dying is a private matter between patients, their families and their physicians.

Patients, not the state, should control their deaths.

Sylvia A. Law
Kailua

Organic farm caters to the rich

It is interesting to learn that first lady Michelle Obama is tacitly endorsing a farming operation that produces premium-priced crops for the 1 percent ("First lady to visit Waianae organic farm," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 5).

I hope she considers calling at nearby farms that grow crops for the 99 percent while she’s in the neighborhood.

While she’s out that way, I hope the first lady will consider stopping by Aloun Farms and ask the owners how they feel about transforming their 1,500-acre parcel into a multimillion-dollar annual residential property tax crop.

Dennis Egge
Honolulu

Molokai people oppose wind farm

State lawmakers Mike Gabbard, Kalani English and Denny Coffman along with Susan Kodani, district director for Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, spent Nov. 2 on Molokai listening to the community voice concerns on the proposed plan to build a 200-megawatt industrial wind turbine factory to supply the energy needs of Oahu via an undersea cable.

Three separate meetings were held with an accumulation of 200-plus people attending. Not one person spoke or raised a hand in favor of the project.

Numerous surveys, public testimonies, membership from organizations and petitions are pushing the number of Molokai people in opposition close to 3,000. The numbers are growing as more people learn about the negative implications of the proposed project and the wind energy business.

Molokai has never experienced a community issue that has been so overwhelmingly one-sided in opposition. Our hope is the lawmakers will share the truth and convince the governor to respect the wishes of the community.

Kanohowailuku Helm
President, I Aloha Molokai (IAM), Hoolehua

Bicyclists may occupy full lane

While I agree with Allison Ikeda that bicyclists who disobey the law should be cited ("Bicyclists often do not follow traffic laws," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 6), her statement regarding bicyclists riding in the middle of the road needs to be corrected.

Bicyclists are allowed to take the lane and in some cases, e.g., when the lane is too narrow to share with other motorists, should take the lane for their own safety. It’s important to remember that it is the bicyclist who decides when to take the lane, based on the situation at the time.

Natalie Iwasa
Hawaii Kai

Intersection fine without signals

It is tragic that a young woman lost her life traveling at high speed down a very steep stretch of Kilauea Avenue ("1-car accident kills teen driver, injures 3 riders," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 29). The roads were wet and a driver with limited experience lost control.

I live in the area. The intersection at the base of the steep hill used to be a four-way stop. Cars coming down the hill had to come to a complete standstill. Most drivers were very courteous taking their turn at the four-way stop signs.

The traffic signal was installed, and has made the situation more dangerous. Cars coming down that steep incline with a green light are often traveling at high speed.

Experienced drivers know to brake coming down that hill even with a green light in front of you. Some drivers will race to make the green, which sends them through that intersection at high speed.

Keith Sinclair
Honolulu