Democrats share blame for gridlock

I’m used to the nearly constant barrage of pathetic cartoons in the Star-Advertiser that paint Republicans in a bad light. But, your cartoon in Thursday’s paper (Star-Advertiser, Dec. 22) was especially egregious and deceiving. It painted the GOP as Scrooge for failing to concur with the spineless payroll tax cut legislation passed by the Democratic-controlled Senate.

The cartoon was unfair because it failed to depict that the Republicans are holding out for Democrats to do their job and give small businesses some tax certainty by extending the payroll tax legislation for at least a year, rather than two months.

A more accurate cartoon would show Scrooge labeled as a Democrat, kicking a very rusty can down a snow-covered road.

Ray Graham
Waikiki

Congress ignoring founding principles

Washington, D.C., has been excessive in its efforts to protect the concept of crony capitalism and crony socialism, while scant effort has been displayed to support the concept of the protection of individual freedoms, which were the founding principles of this country.

David Johnson
Hilo

Upheaval might help North Korea

With the death of North Korea’s Kim Jong Il, everyone seems to be hoping for a smooth transition of power. I’m hoping for an extremely messy transition of power. Why? Only then will there be a chance for change.

In his classic anti-Stalinist book, "1984," George Orwell’s quote "Ignorance is Strength" had it right.

For more than 60 years, Stalinist North Korea has maintained its core strength by maintaining its "Iron Curtain" of ignorance, keeping its people ignorant of what freedom can do for them.

Now is the time to take off the gloves with North Korea. The world’s free people should use all high-tech means possible to deliver the only weapon that can crumble North Korea’s iron curtain of ignorance: free information. Surely, North Koreans’ freedom will be won — and maybe without bloodshed.

Sam Gillie
Hawaii Kai

New law enables mass detentions

During World War II, the U.S. military detained 110,000 Japanese-Americans, 11,000 German-Americans and 3,000 Italian- Americans, all deemed potential terrorists.

A Japanese-American senator has just voted for a law that negates the 1971 Non-Detention Act, created specifically to make another mass detention impossible. Sadly, it’s now again possible, with the help of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.

The U.S. Senate has just passed the National Defense Authorization Act with provisions specifically requested by President Barack Obama that void core constitutional protections: the right to be assumed innocent unless proven guilty and the right to argue innocence in front of a judge or a jury of one’s peers.

The military now has authority to detain anyone, anywhere, forever, for any vague activity deemed in support of terrorism. This "support of terrorism" does not even need to be directed against this country. Americans supporting Arab Spring uprisings against the ruthless dictators of U.S. client states may be subject to the same indefinite military detention in Guantanamo-style prisons — for life.

The bill itself is an act of terrorism against the Constitution. Those who voted for it should be the ones subject to "indefinite military detention."

Jan Becket
Honolulu

Ban ‘spiking’ for state employees

Thank you, Wesley Machida, for bringing the expensive, flawed practice of spiking to our attention ("Public employee pension spiking is expensive flaw that needs fixing," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Dec. 18).

It is unfair and inequitable to all except those fortunate few who, through intent or accident, benefit from spiking.

It is easy to resolve by promptly developing reasonable practices that are fair to all.

Instances of abuse of position or circumstances like this require citizens to speak out and demand change. Now is the time to take action by communicating our disapproval of spiking to our elected and appointed officials and their staff.

Curtis Wheeler
Waikiki

Demand for puppies hurts dogs

While having a puppy may boost the quality of life for people, it should never be done at the expense of the puppy’s parents. There are always hundreds of homeless, loving animals at the Hawaiian Humane Society in desperate need of a family. We must end the trend of puppy mills, which exist only because of the incessant demand for puppies.

The deplorable conditions that the dogs at the Waimanalo puppy mill were forced to live in is not a life that any animal should have to live. I hope justice is brought to those responsible when they are sentenced next year.

Martha Tanimoto
Pearl City

Lower rate hike still hurts consumers

Your article on Young Brothers raising its rates reminded me of a big mistake I made ("PUC OKs Young Bros.’ new interisland shipping rates," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 17).

When I bought a business, I should have gotten one where if business got slow, I could go to a public agency and ask for money, no strings attached. And when things got good again, I would not have to lower prices or pay back any of the money.

I laughed at how Young Brothers President Glenn Hong says he is so concerned with the people and businesses of Hawaii. They asked for a 23.97 percent rate hike and only got 16.58 percent. With the new math, look how the people came out ahead.

Tony Rizzo
Kailua