U.S. on the road to bankruptcy

The Republicans have lost the budget battle and the Democrats hope to celebrate with renewed binge spending — hardly a reason for Americans to celebrate. It is illogical and financial folly to believe that the increased spending will not adversely impact all Americans.

In a democracy, voters choose candidates who promise them everything without considering the costs. People demand government programs that meet their needs and interests. These program costs need to be paid for by taxpayers now or later. The lawmakers who support increased program benefits seem to favor increased taxes to pay for the costs.

The Republicans have identified troubling financial issues that face us today and in future years. The GOP’s potential solutions are a hard sell because they focus on spending reductions for Medicare, Social Security and other government cost centers. No one wants reductions in popular entitlement programs. However, if difficult resource-allocation decisions are not made now, the result will be a bankrupt government.

John M. Tamashiro
Pearl City

Aloha needed at Laniakea

Hawaii spends millions to advertise the wonders of Hawaii and the friendliness of its people.

It is unfortunate that as these tourists enjoy the beauty of Hawaii, the aloha spirit is missing at Lania-kea Beach.

We are fortunate to have a beach that the turtles enjoy, causing tourists to stop and also enjoy. The excitement on the faces of children and adults are memories that everyone should experience in their lifetime. This memory will bring many back to renew that excitement with new friends or family.

The short wait to let someone cross trafficis not unbearable.

Where is the aloha spirit in sharing our island and time with others? Have we forgotten that we have parked and enjoyed the turtles and beaches ourselves?

Leonard Leong
Manoa

Social norms are at stake

Preserving the definition of traditional marriage is not about civil rights.

"Marriage equality" is about permanently altering our social norms. It will force those who do not agree with the gay lifestyle choice to not only accept it, but also to be prevented from expressing dissent.

Religious liberties are but a small part of the societal conflict that will ensue. Businesses, schools and families will all be hugely affected. Parents who disagree must resolve their values with children being taught in schools that gay marriage is equal to traditional. The label of "bigot" will be applied to anyone disagreeing with gay lifestyle choices, even though they respect others who choose such.

This is all happening in other states that have gone this course, most notably Massachusetts.

If you do not want this for Hawaii, please speak up now.

Ayman El-Swaify
Aiea

Biggest litterers are residents

I am at the beach or in the water almost seven days a week. I frequently participate in beach cleanups with various groups, so I appreciated your editorial on cigarette pollution ("Public outreach key to success of smoking ban," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Oct. 15).

I disagree with the premise that tourists and visitors are the source of the problem.

I drive home every day on H-1. On a normal day, it’s not unusual to see a dozen or more people throw their butts, candy wrappers or other waste out the car window. These are kamaaina and their trash ends up in the ocean.

Many states have aggressive anti-litter campaigns, such as "Don’t Mess With Texas." We don’t need to educate visitors, we need to educate ourselves. The problem is us.

Edward Kertis
Waipahu

Don’t crowd News Building

I want to join the chorus of others who once worked in The Honolulu Advertiser building at South Street and Kapiolani Boulevard.

Something special is going to be lost forever if a 10-story parking lot is allowed to overwhelm the dignified and historic three-story building on the edge of the green lawns of the municipal complex and the Mission Houses.

Why are such large structures permitted on what should be a gradual passage from civil space to commercial space?

Why can’t the News Building, which embodies Hawaii newspaper journalism, be preserved as a museum to trace the 1930s through 2000 era, when theStar-BulletinandAdvertiserhelped shape the 50th State?

Christy Tada
Santa Rosa, Calif.