Governor in rush to spend, spend

Perhaps the Star-Advertiser should have titled its lead news article "Governor spends surplus" instead of "Governor sees surplus" (Star-Advertiser, Dec. 20).

After all, he is a politician first and foremost, not a statesman. Accordingly, he cannot and will not save money or refund excess taxes collected from Hawaii’s working poor.

Professional politicians would rather extend their kingdoms and influence than do what is right for Hawaii and its people. What kind of leader would spend a dubious surplus in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the previous depression?

Hawaii desperately needs lower taxes so residents can replenish savings and buy their goods and services desired directly without government graft, corruption and collusion. This is what will grow jobs and transform the anemic economy — not the status quo of government overmanagement and overspending that got us into this mess in the first place.

Mark Blackburn
Makiki

Punchbowl case was appalling

A simple question has not been asked concerning the Punchbowl incident with veterans and "Hawaii Five-0".

I am a veteran and fan of the show. If the vets actually gave a one-fingered salute, it is a shame. There are better ways of handling a perceived insult. Yet, I do understand.

The question is for the state: Who authorized the setting up and filming at Punchbowl?

I, too, was appalled and irritated at film sets on gravesites. Someone had to approve this.

Stunning and shocking from a state that has such reverence and respect for the military, veterans and gravesites.

Greg Casler
Kailua

Money supply is root of inflation

Paul Krugman’s recent column attacking Ron Paul contains errors typical of Keynesians ("GOP monetary madness will beget Great Depression, Star-Advertiser, Dec. 18).

Krugman uses a common language definition of inflation that equates it with its typical effect (i.e. inflation is a rise in consumer prices, rather than a rise in the money supply that leads to a rise in consumer prices.)

Inflating the money supply can lead to various results, depending on the interaction of factors in the economy.

Taken in isolation, an increase in the money supply will lead to higher consumer prices. There is no other logical result. If increases in the money supply do not lead to increases in consumer prices, it must be because other factors have had an offsetting effect.

To argue that the general rule is disproven because recent increases in the money supply did not lead to increased consumer prices is ridiculous.

Tracy Ryan
Honolulu

Hitchens was not closeted believer

The article by Ross Douthat regarding Christopher Hitchens was an insult to those of us who were fans of Hitchens’ writing and tenacity of his views ("Intellectual Christians saw a convert in Hitchens," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 20).

Claiming that Hitchens "protested a bit too much" is insinuating that somehow, despite his writings, Hitchens secretly wanted to be a Christian but was afraid to "come out," as it were.

This type of insult can be applied to anything anyone has a stance against. Everything from homosexuality to prostitution or adultery, you name the transgression and if you stand against it, well that just means you secretly want to be/do those things that just don’t fit your lifestyle, right?

In a society where the strength to stand for your convictions is only as convenient as the company you keep for the current conversation, it was a breath of fresh air to see Hitchens stick to his views.

Wayne Fisher
Kapolei

Hawaiian Air better off small

The rapid expansion of Hawaiian Airlines is most disturbing.

Hawaiian Airlines, we like you just the way you are.

The bigger a corporation gets for its britches, the harder it is to be either a good local or global citizen.

Small is beautiful.

Bill Brundage
Kurtistown, Hawaii