Oil prices can be budget wildcard

It’s puzzling to me that the Council on Revenues would give a 12 percent revenue growth projection for 2012 and state that it could change due to uncertain oil prices ("Forecast brightens revenue outlook," Star-Advertiser, March 8).

John Hofmeister, former chief executive officer for Shell Oil’s U.S. operations and a member of the U.S. Energy Security Council, recently stated on CNBC that West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil could go up to $120-$130 per barrel by summer of this year. Brent oil prices are the international standard and approximately $15 higher than WTI and it’s hovering at $120 today.

U.S. oil consumption is down, yet prices continue to rise. It’s mainly due to growing demand from China and India, and not just new demand from Japan due to the earthquake and potential geopolitical disruptions.

Thankfully, the House Finance Committee chairman recognizes how volatility in oil prices can affect our economy. Oil, the lifeblood of the economy, can also be the game-changer.

Dan Nakasone
Wahiawa

Bipartisanship is Lingle hallmark

In Richard Borreca’s column, Gov. Neil Abercrombie addressed former Gov. Linda Lingle’s U.S. Senate bid, stating that "Gov. Lingle will find it impossible to run the campaign she has already stated she will run, that is, she is a bipartisan candidate."

Abercrombie can spin his campaign rhetoric any way he wants, but voters prefer to deal in facts. Abercrombie should be well aware of Lingle’s bipartisan record, since he made it a point to take credit for many of the bipartisan efforts initiated by Lingle, including keeping Kukui Gardens as affordable housing and working with the Legislature to pass the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. Also, unlike Lingle, who looked beyond political affiliations, Abercrombie asked all Lingle-appointed boards and commissions members to step down when he came into office, regardless of their term ends.

Abercrombie should spend less time offering political predictions for November and more time focusing on getting his own legislative priorities passed.

Chita Caindec Stewart
Mililani

Student-teacher ratios can be lower

Early education should be the right of all children, not just those who need pre-kindergarten training. Kindergarten should be optional and start at age 4. Students should be allowed to advance based on competency rather than age, and be allowed to graduate in 12 years or less.

Instead of taking Advanced Placement courses, faster students should just go on to college. Students who are not interested in college may opt for a GED program and graduate early as well. Students who stay for a full 12 years should get a better education, owing to lower student-teacher ratios.

Russel Noguchi
Pearl City

Improve bus system for sake of seniors

Twenty years from now when the rail system is completed, many of us seniors will not be able to walk to the rail station.

I agree with former Gov. Ben Cayetano’s suggestion that we should spend more money to increase the number of city buses. For those who can’t drive, it would be most convenient for buses to stop along neighborhood driveways, so passengers can go shopping at nearby shopping malls or to the rail station.

Lawmakers should give some consideration to taking care of our senior citizens, who have contributed so much during their lifetimes.

Toshio Chinen
Pearl City

Why can’t Honolulu fix all its potholes?

Try to drive through Hawaii Kai for any considerable distance without having to take drastic evasive maneuvers to avoid a pothole. The common answers are: "We don’t have the money," "Potholes always come out after heavy rains," or "The roads were built many years ago." These are excuses, not solutions.

I recently went to Seoul, Tokyo and Sydney. I did not see any open potholes. How come these destinations are faced with similar challenges but found a way to maintain good roads? It can be done. Did we study what their techniques are and what materials were used? Were politicians sent to study this?

If we cannot maintain our existing roads, how can we build and maintain both our roads and a new rail system?

Chuck Reindollar
Makiki Heights

Bush held to higher code than Obama

A few years ago, when George W. Bush was president, U.S. Army soldiers at Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq took it upon themselves to abuse some prisoners.

It was strictly humiliation, but Bush endured months of blame and vilification in the press over the episode.

In the past few weeks we’ve seen three serious events in Afghanistan: U.S. Marines urinating on Afghan corpses, the burning of copies of the Quran, and now a U.S. soldier killing 16 innocent Afghans.

So far I haven’t seen or heard one word of criticism directed by the media at President Barack Obama, our current commander-in-chief.Why hasn’t he been held to the samestandard as Bush?

Bob Lamborn
Nuuanu

Not all health care treated equally

Thank you so much for the article by Ira Zunin ("Laws unfairly place limit on integrative therapies," Star-Advertiser, Wealth of Health, March 10).

There definitely needs to be some improvement in the personal injury protection insurance regulations. Acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy and massage therapy must be given respect and recognition, since they are very important in the lives of many patients.

Also, I want to thank writers June Watanabe of "Kokua Line," John Rosemond of "Parent Power" and especially Nancy Arcayna for her wonderful articles on fitness.

Lile Hanson
Ewa Beach