What happened to 1 man, 1 vote?

The editorial "Curb abuses of 501(c)4" covered just about all of the abuses that presently afflict the electoral process (Our View, Star-Advertiser, Dec. 2).

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the monetary restrictions of the McCain-Feingold Act by declaring that money was speech and therefore should not be limited, dealt a severe blow to limiting the amount of money that could be spent on elections.

The court also declared that corporations were people, giving them the same free speech (read money) rights as ordinary citizens.

Finally the emergence of 501(c)4 — so-called non-profit — organizations that have been engaging in vigorous political activity against the intent of the law has made a mockery of the electoral process.

Whatever happened to the concept of one man, one vote? Perhaps all of this is a partial explanation of the low turnout at the polls.

Edward Sullam
Aina Haina

Do something now on sharks

In August, because of recent shark attacks and a fatality, state Department of Land and Natural Resources Director William Aila called for, and got started, a two-year survey of the migration and other habits of the tiger sharks in the area.

Fast-forward four months and you have several more shark attacks and another fatality in the same stretch of beaches in Maui’s Makena area.

Nothing has been done to prevent these attacks, other then putting up warning signs, and with the "all clear" the beaches are opened up the very next day.

Aila and shark experts report these attacks are unusual and have no immediate explanation. There are more than 1 1⁄2 years left of this survey, which will do nothing to stop these attacks.

There appears to be a resident overpopulation of aggressive tiger sharks in the Makena area that needs to be culled immediately. At this rate, if nothing is done, there will be more attacks and possible fatalities.

Steven Burke
Aiea

Gay marriage about humanity

Strip away all the labels and one is left with simple humanity — as so eloquently expressed, after same-sex marriage was legalized here, by Jeri Gertz ("Fairness for all to simply be who they are and wed who they love") and by Shylar Young ("My family is a fire, some of the flames may give up when the rain comes … but the true heat in the coals will never die").

True Hawaiians know the truth of hypocrisy, indignity and intolerance. So do those who suffered in silence and fought all their lives to live with human dignity and be accorded human equality.

I am a simple man who has served with gay men and women in the military and in civilian life. I trust them to have my back.

For those who voted for human dignity and human equality, I have only the greatest respect and aloha.

Tim Oshiro
Wahiawa

TheBus drivers deserve praise

Here’s a tribute to TheBus drivers in Honolulu.

My son and I were recent monthlong visitors and we rode the bus frequently. He has Down syndrome and impaired mobility.

The drivers were patient, friendly and always made sure my son was able to be seated in a seat reserved for persons with handicaps. When seats were occupied by typical persons, the drivers asked them to move to provide my son a seat. The drivers gave my son priority in boarding and would ask passengers to wait when needed. Our appreciation extends to them also.

The bus drivers are providing efficient service while coping with traffic, schedules, tourists and persons with special needs. They are a model for the rest of the county. We thank them for making our stay more pleasurable.

Margaret Bauman
Minneapolis