Penalize employers for hiring illegally

As the Congress debates immigration reform, the issue of border security has come to the fore.The bill pending in the Senate relies on fences, drones and more agents to secure the border.But those things won’t stop people from sneaking over the border.

Illegal immigrants come here to find work, earn money and maybe send some extra dollars back home.But those people won’t come if they can’t find someone to pay them.The only effective approach to border security is to penalize whomever hires them.

It’s reasonable to allow guest workers to fill the requirements of farmers for seasonal help and to facilitate immigration of those who possess needed skills.But the only way to decrease the number of people swimming across rivers and hiking across deserts is to discourage their employment.

In short, make cheap labor for employers not so cheap for them.

Lunsford Phillips
Kailua

Don’t blame union for salary disparity

I was disappointed by your editorial ("Set bar high for DOE officials’ pay," Star-Advertiser, Our View, June 14), which exposed what little you know about the compensation issue for our education leaders. It is unconscionable that you chose to cherry-pick a few facts to support your case that the union is the sole reason our top-level administrators are underpaid. If only it were that simple.

The pay for the superintendent and complex area superintendents is an entirely separate issue and the Hawaii Government Employees Association certainly supports fair compensation for them, as well as other school employees.

Because our dedicated public school principals are responsible to many different constituencies, including students, parents, their immediate supervisors, the superintendent, the Board of Education, as well as their community, HGEA represents their interests and advocates on their behalf to ensure their voices are heard. We must all work together to move our education system forward for Hawaii’s future.

Randy Perreira
Executive director, HGEA/AFSCME Local 152

Hybrid batteries expensive, toxic

I had to laugh when I saw your Insight article by Michael Kraft ("Are hybrids the best ‘green’ bet for motorists?" Star-Advertiser, June 24). As a former hybrid car owner I can tell you this: Never again. It was the worst decision I ever made.

The mileage saving is negligible, constant maintenance is required, but the absolute worst thing about them (one the auto dealers don’t tell you about) is the special $5,000 battery that all hybrids require.

These batteries don’t last very long — mine went out three times. When they are shipped here, it costs extra because of all the highly toxic and dangerous chemicals they contain.

I wonder if Kraft thinks it’s good for the environment to have a lot of these things around. Hybrids are a scam by the auto industry to get us to buy more expensive cars. Never again.

Paul Gutekanst
Kealakekua, Hawaii island

Partisan elections hurt democracy

Regarding the Democratic lawsuit for partisan primaries:I imagine I speak for many people who are sick of partisan elections.The general election lets me vote for who I want, regardless of political affiliation, but in the primary election I have to select a party and only have choices from that ballot.

For as many years as I can remember, even though I would vote for some Democrats, there is always a Republican or a Green that I really wanted to see elected, so I pulled that ballot and didn’t vote Democratic at all.

This country is in a downward spiral. The Democrats are the same as the Republicans now, and that is why we are in such a mess. Us sheeple need to wake up!

It is time for a new party, or at least some alternatives, like the Greens and Libertarians, to step forth and put in some good candidates. Then let us vote for whoever we want!

Sara Steiner
Pahoa, Hawaii island

Social Security will change in future

Your article on "Navigating the Silver Wave"(Star-Advertiser, June 9) was of interest to many reaching senior status.

Those reaching this stage in life need to realize that the proposed cost-of-living changes for Social Security will affect all seniors in the coming years.It will hit the middle class and all future generations of recipients the hardest.

The chained CPI is intended to reduce payments over a period of years when the elderly pay more for medical care and prescription drugs.It is important to realize Social Security is not the problem, and should not be the solution to the budget crisis.

Laurel Leslie
Kailua

Middle class forced to leave Hawaii

I tried to take some relatives around the island and up to the Pali Lookout. I was shocked to learn that for a 5- to 10-minute walk to the lookout and back, you had to pay for parking. We left immediately. What gives?

This town is so pet unfriendly and now it is becoming local unfriendly.I have always predicted that this island would become a mecca for the very rich with only the poor left.The middle class and locals are not wanted here and are leaving in droves for the mainland.How very sad.

Alice Vinton
Makiki