Blame inflation for current woes

To all the writers to the Star-Advertiser’s "Views & Voices" who complain of rising health and other insurance premiums, of rising gas prices and green-energy costs, of locally produced consumer goods as too costly compared to goods shipped in to our state, to the entire spectrum of tax increases across the U.S., I have one word for you: Inflation.

Inflation has not only been an aspect of society for millenia but it is an unfortunate consequence for consumers, businesses and government who are trying to stay afloat in both good and bad times, and in a world that has no intention of curbing the global human population explosion.

Consider the struggles of everyone, from the homeless to small businesses barely breaking even.

Be humble and grateful for what you have. Life is fleeting. It’s a waste of time to be griping.

Han Song
Kaneohe

Case ignores costs of Iraq war

Reading Ed Case’s commentary was as intriguing for what Case ignored as for what he included ("Independent leaders can solve budget crisis," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Dec. 19).

Specifically, I’m thinking of the trillion-dollar Iraq war.

In his analysis of our nation’s budget crisis, Case omits the fiscal impact of the war.

The same war for which Case, while running for Congress in 2002, said he would have voted in favor.

The same war that a majority of the people of Hawaii opposed, even as we supported the troops who bravely fought it.

The Iraq war blew an enormous hole in our federal budget. Case makes no apologies for having backed it from the very beginning, even as he lectures Hawaii and Washington about digging America out of debt.

As Case makes yet another of his runs for public office, this says something troubling about his judgment.

Ruben Amodo
Mililani

DOE and HSTA hurting our keiki

The state Department of Education blames the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and the HSTA blames the DOE.

There is an old saying that still seems to prevail: "When confused and when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!"

And who is suffering as a result of this stalemate and finger-pointing?

Not the DOE or HSTA. It is our keiki.

Ron Baptista
Mountain View, Hawaii island

Social safety net coming in handy

My co-workers and I in the public sector are pleased with Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s decision to increase spending for social programs.

After three years of wage freezes and a year of furloughs (with more to come) a lot of us have turned to these programs to help make ends meet.

Some of us, like myself, are actually doing better than we were before these brilliant cost-saving measures were put into place.

When my family and I sit down to our food-stamp-bought dinner, we will be sure to not only thank God but also our governor.

Michael Jefferson
Ewa Beach

Bankruptcy in city’s future?

Recently Jefferson County, Ala., declared bankruptcy, the largest municipal bankruptcy ever filed.

It was brought about by debts incurred as a result of a major sewer project constructed several years ago.

The county floated more than $3 billion in bonds to finance the project, bonds that they now cannot pay back. I can see Honolulu heading in this same direction with construction of a rail project that has very shaky funding and already many irregularities in the awarding of contracts.

What happens if Congress does not provide us with the full $1.8 billion in federal funds? Congress is notoriously fickle.

Ansaldo has financial problems and a sketchy track record. What happens if it defaults on its contract?

Can we build and operate a $5.17 billion dollar system on the current .05 percent general excise tax?

We, too, will be heading for bankruptcy just like Jefferson County and other cities and countries that have spent beyond their means.

Mollie Foti
Kailua