U.S. wasting skilled talent from abroad

Thank you for highlighting the profile of Hawaii’s immigrants and the unique challenges that thousands of our youths are experiencing ("Reach out to young migrants," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Oct. 11).

Immigration affects a broad segment of the population.While much of the recent debate has focused on the illegal immigrants, I would like to bring your attention to the more than half-a-million skilled foreign workers who entered legally on temporary work visas. Many of them are educated in the U.S., but our authorities do their best to drive out skilled workers and entrepreneurs who have contributed to the significant growth of the nation since its inception.

These foreign workers attempt to comply with all the necessary legal requirements but are often stuck in the visa treadmill that eventually breaks their spirits. As a result, these workers can neither grow deep roots in nor contribute to their communities.

Such unnecessary waste of human resource and talent.

Alice Li
Niu Valley

Let everyone find their own families

I am a 68-year-old gay male who has never had an overwhelming desire to be involved in a relationship, and it is difficult for me to imagine that that will change any time soon. So marriage for same-sex couples will most likely never directly affect me.

But I do understand that everyone is not like me. Countless numbers of people, gay and straight, dohave the desire to be involved in a relationship, to be married, or even to have children — essentially creating and being part of their own family.

Even though I don’t share their need for a romantic relationship, I do understand the importance of family. Although I have little contact with my biological family, I do have wonderful relationships with my friends from church — my spiritual family.

Without these relationships, my life would likely be infinitely less rich. I hope the legislators will come to realize that all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, should be granted the right to form their own families and find their own happiness.

Michael Forrest Moore
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii island

‘Marriage equality’ is a Pandora’s Box

According to Lynne Beckstrom’s world view, traditional marriage is a thing of the past ("Let everyone enjoy marriage," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 16).

Is that why only 10 of the 50 U.S. statesrecognize gay marriage? That is hardly what I would call a majority opinion.

And, please, don’t refer to this issue as "marriage equality." This thinking is so shortsighted it is frightening.

Do you want everyone to enjoy marriage? Okay, let’s bring back polygamy. They deserve "marriage equality," don’t they?

I suggest that those who think the institution of marriage should be redefined to placate a current trend should take a long look at the Pandora’s Box this will open, and be very careful what they ask for.

Jack Grimes
Kailua

Don’t let minority obstruct Congress

The crisis on government operations and the debt ceiling reflects two major failings.

The first is a failure of character, where officials elected to federal office do not perceive their goal to be advancing the best interests of the nation, but instead give priority to appeasing their own gerrymandered constituencies. The motive here is not love of country or alternative views on policy; it is the wish to be re-elected.

The second is a failure of our legislative processes, which allow filibusters and House speaker prerogatives to frustrate the concept of majority rule.

The cure for the second failing requires our nation to focus on electing only legislators who commit to changing the rules of Congress so as to reduce the power of a minority to obstruct the orderly conduct of government and to cast doubt upon the reliability of America’s financial commitments.

This is not a Democratic or Republican issue. It is an American issue.

James Duca
Kailua 

Kudos to mayor for acting on bike plan

Congratulations to Mayor Kirk Caldwell for finally putting into action a long-awaited bicycling program for Honolulu.

We are currently on a trip in the West Coast where we see so many bicyclists riding and getting on and off public transportation. My wife and I cycled around Vancouver, getting on and off the SeaBus and Skytrain. It was a wonderful way to know and enjoy the whole city up close.

I am sure the program will enhance not only our local experience but attract visitors who will get to enjoy another convenient way to get around.

Hopefully, this will be enhanced by the ability to go places with the bicycle when the rail becomes a reality.

Ignacio A. Torres
Downtown Honolulu

UH Warriors earn respect for playing

I admit wavering as a University of Hawaii football fan.

Yet when I watch the Warriors battle back in games only to lose by inches at the end, I think of the words of Teddy Roosevelt:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.

"Far better is it to dare mighty things … than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."

Carry on, coaches and players!

Chip Davey
Downtown Honolulu