Hawaii Democrats an embarrassment

For 40 years I was proud to be a Democrat, but since I moved to Hawaii, I’m embarrassed.

Richard Borreca is right to prefer the "open" primary, but what we really need is a blanket primary, where voters can pick the best candidates, regardless of party ("It’s an open-and-shut case: Open primaries preferable," Star-Advertiser, June 21).

In politics, as in economics, monopoly encourages sloth and negligence. In today’s Hawaii, democracy is less a citizen’s organization than a clique of politicians and funders. A return to the closed primary would strangle citizen choice and guarantee job security for party hacks. Meanwhile, ambitious young Democrats with real leadership potential are forced to choose between serving the party and serving the public.

Heaven deliver us all from a party with nothing to offer but yes-men and four more years of Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Larry Tool
Kaunakakai, Molokai

Boycott primaries if they are closed

The Democrats’ attempt to completely control the voting process is outrageous.

No one should have to announce how they are going to vote before they vote.

If the Democrats get their way, I, for one, will protest by refusing to vote in the primary. All voters should do the same.

Otto Cleveland
Pacific Palisades

News media guilty in Deen affair, too

Celebrity chef Paula Deen owes an apology, but only to the small group of friends and acquaintances to whom she uttered those "inappropriate and hurtful" words.

If use of these words was so egregious as to warrant a firing, every editor who ran the story with all the words included should be on his way down the road.

I have long felt certain that if the U.S. news media had sole access to information, the release of which guaranteed the demise of the United States, there would be a stampede to be first to print that would kill thousands.

The news media is not about news, it’s entertainment. It’s vulgarians titillating barbarians.

Gene Wilkie
Ala Moana

Cost to relocate Marines seems high

Are we to believe or accept the cost estimates from the U.S. Department of Defense for the relocation of our Marines?

If you make, say, $60,000 a year, your federal tax bill after standard deductions averages $7,000 per year. Times that by 45 years of hard work and your total lifetime tax contribution wouldn’t even pay the estimated total to relocate one Marine to the mainland.

Relocating 800 Marines at a cost of $400 million equals $500,000 per Marine. This is an outrage, a pork-barrel proposal to stuff the pockets of government contractors in bed with state senators who stand to make far more than our dedicated Marines, who get paid very little in comparison.

Let’s put the question to our Marines on how they want to be relocated, what they are willing to do without, for a share of that $500,000. That would boost morale!

Jonathan Norris
Waikiki

Sidewalk ordinance is long overdue

Congratulations to Honolulu City Council member Ikaika Anderson and other Council members for Bill 7, and Mayor Kirk Caldwell for enforcing this sidewalk-nuisance ordinance. It was long overdue.

I do not see the mayor or the Council as being inhumane. On the contrary, the homeless were offered shelter but refused because they’d rather not be subjected to rules and regulations.

I, too, would love to live without laws that restrict my every move. Sorry, lawless societies create chaos beyond one’s wildest imagination. And as far as (de)Occupy Honolulu protesters are concerned, they should stop hiding behind that "free speech" veil and go get a worthwhile life.

Do I despise the homeless? No. Do I think it disgusting and repulsive that they took over the city by illegally camping whenever and wherever they feel like? Yes.

As for the American Civil Liberties Union, it is doing what it thinks it needs to do. God bless it.Using our taxpayer money to defend Bill 7 will be money very well spent.

Richard Ornellas
Liliha

Ellison can kiss his billions goodbye

I read with interest that Larry Ellison may purchase go! ("Ellison buying go!," Star-Advertiser, June 21).

There is a saying within the aviation business community: "How to turn a billionaire into a millionaire? Purchase an airline."

James L. Jones
Hawaii Kai

Tourism surge not cause of burglaries

Your recent article regarding the surge in Kailua home burglaries misses the point ("Home burglary galvanizes couple to unite community," Star-Advertiser, June 23).

Our homes are being violated because, in many cases, drug-crazed addicts need the money to pay for their habits. The upsurge in Japanese tourism has nothing to do with this epidemic.

We had a visit from one last month. The police tell me she was about 26 and on the way to being toothless and incarcerated when they served her with the warrants she accumulated.

She’s still out there but the police did some fine forensics and identified her as the suspect.

So, missy, turn yourself in and let’s get on with our lives.

Ron Weinberg
Kailua