Obamacare victim of misinformation

It is disappointing to read a letter to the editor that calls for "dealing with facts" but is filled with misinformation ("Demonizing not socially helpful," Star-Advertiser, May 16).

In contrast to "cuts in Medicare,"the Kaiser Family Foundation website lists many increases in Medicare benefits under the law, including reducing the coverage gap in Medicare Part D and eliminating co-payments for preventive services.

What the writer may have been calling "cuts" are actually reductions in the rate of growth of payments to certain providers. Similarly, instead of "gutting" of Medicare Senior Advantage plans,the law brings those plans in line with the cost of regular Medicare and gives "bonus" payments to plans having high quality ratings.

Misinformation about "unleashing IRS agents" has been repeatedly debunked. Insurers will provide members with documentation to verify compliance with the law. Unfortunately, much of the opposition to Obamacare is based on this and similar misinformation.

Meg McGowan
Makiki

Kailua stakeholders need to collaborate

As a regular visitor to Kailua over the last 25 years, I am surprised at what I see evolving.

In the absence of a community-led strategy for tourism, polarization within the community is intensifying and the original character that attracted residents to Kailua is being eroded.

The controversy around the proliferation of beachside businesses is only a symptom of a much bigger issue that needs serious attention, if Kailua is to avoid being another Waikiki.

A crucial first step to arrest this ad-hoc approach to managing tourism is for the City Council to create a multi-stakeholder group focused on sustainable tourism that is good for the environment, the people and the local economy. This collaborative leadership approach would develop a master plan around sustainable principles that would ensure tourism is an integral part of the local economy, without destroying the very nature of this beautiful part of the planet.

Where is the leadership to drive this type of initiative?

Jeff Griggs
Whangarei, New Zealand

Shellfish are loaded with cholesterol

As a dietitian, I am more concerned about the high levels of cholesterol found in shellfish than high levels of toxins ("Safety fears prompt advisory to avoid Korean shellfish," Star-Advertiser, May 17).

Three oysters contain 85 milligrams of cholesterol, the same amount of cholesterol found in one Big Mac. Shellfish, including crabs and shrimp, are also high in saturated fat, low in fiber, and lack the antioxidants found in plant-based foods.

Let’s keep shellfish at bay and instead leave room for healthy fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. These four food groups are not only safe but work to prevent and reverse high cholesterol, heart disease and obesity.

Joseph Gonzalez
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Washington, D.C.

Brooks overlooked corporate greed

Seeing the headline, "Democracy needs checks on greed to be successful" (Star-Advertiser, David Brooks, May 21), I thought that finally a conservative was going to address corporate greed.

Wrong.

It was all about the greedy 99 percent and the politicians who cater and pander to them.

Most tax laws, regulations and policies are written by lobbyists who don’t work for the 99 percent. When corporations, having earned record profits last year, refuse to invest and hire, hold on to $2 trillion in their cash accounts and prop up candidates who proclaim that Obama’s policies have failed, what would you call that?

For conservatives, the culprits are poor folk on food stamps, sick folk who need health care, the young who clamor for an affordable education and working folk who want fair wages and decent working conditions.

True greed is when those who have will not yield one cent of their gains to help a neighbor in need.

Peter Barmus
Kailua

Executive pay at UH smacks of elitism

Theincrease inexecutive pay at the University of Hawaii and the recent defense of it by UH President M.R.C. Greenwood reflectpure arrogance, elitism and disregard for Hawaii’s youth and taxpayers.

When thinking about these increases, it is no wonder UH tuition has risen beyond the reach of so many people in Hawaii.

Norman Gibson
McCully

Shapiro unfair to Legislature

As a young person, neither am I oblivious to the troublesome circumstances of our community nor do I welcome empty, vitriolic statements.

David Shapiro’s Saturday column ("Corpse flower, Legislature giving off a similar stink," Star-Advertiser, FlASHback, May 19) translated into a less than savory attack against the many people laboring to do good.

I agree there is a "stink," but it’s not coming from our Legislature, our public school teachers, our university or our firefighters.

Hawaii is moving forward. Mom and dad taught me that it is the job of each generation to do better than their parents. With continued progress, I am confident Hawaii will be an even more vibrant place — a place where I will begin my own family.

Mr. Shapiro, smell the puakenikeni.

Mark Aoki
Manoa