Federal law aimed at private sector

A letter writer said he did not receive a statement from Social Security nor from his military pension but he did from his private pension plan ("Government works by different rules," Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 27).

His complaint also included the information that his pension was funded (159 percent) but his Social Security and military pension were not.

He felt that "we the people" should demand that the U.S. government abide by the laws they set up for private industry.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act was instituted to combat fraud and abuse in the private sector because there was no way for beneficiaries to ascertain or guarantee their benefits.

Social Security and military retirement are a matter of public record.A beneficiary can ascertain the plan and the benefits by asking the government or using Google. Annual statements are sent out by both entities.

Military retirement has been funded since 1985 and Social Security is fully funded through 2033.

Laudra Eber
Kailua

Some homeless are just plain indolent

I beg to disagree with Aneesah Silvels in some respects ("The homeless are people, too," Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 27).

Families and those unable to find employment and affordable housing need our help. But walk down Kalakaua Avenue with me any morning at 5 a.m. and take note of the young men (and some women) languishing on the sidewalks with signs begging for money. It is highly likely that most of these young people are just lazy. They smile and smoke cigarettes (at $9 a pack) and mess up the area.

These same people can be found on Kuhio Avenue later in the day. The police in Waikiki sympathize with me but are unable to do much about it, thanks to our politicians.

Wake up before our economic engine putters and goes dead.

B. J. "Betty" Dyhr
Waikiki

Solid solutions still exist for homeless

Most people agree that a small percentage of homeless choose that lifestyle.

Unemployment, underemployment, developmental disorders, mental illnesses, sexual, physical and emotional abuse and ideological conflicts at home are major issues for most homeless. City officials need to pass strict vagrancy laws with enforcement.

Solid solutions like providing housing, jobs and counseling are the benchmarks. Real estate companies, contractors and the city working in concert can through the sweat equity of the homeless turn vacant properties into livable homes with minimal cost to the homeless.

It takes a total commitment of all parties working together to make change. It is a lot less expensive to provide housing and support services that help someone break the cycle of homelessness and help return these people’s sense of well-being and dignity.

Paul "Pappy" Lowe
Moiliili

4,500 youngsters were abandoned

The governor and legislators want to pat themselves on the back for establishing a state-funded early education program for less then 500 students.

This after they eliminated a pre-K program that served more than 5,000 students.

What will happen to the other 4,500 students?

I do not qualify for the state subsidies nor do I wish to send my son to a third year of preschool, so what happens to him along with the other 4,500 students?

These legislators have the nerve to say they support early education, and yet they abandon 4,500 students.

The schools are overcrowded as it is, yet they can justify flooding the 2015-2016 kindergarten classes with these additional deserted 4,500 students.

They should be ashamed of themselves and the pay increases they recently gave themselves.

Jodie Samer
Salt Lake

Make hikers pay for their rescues

Over this Memorial Day weekend we saw the yellow Honolulu Fire Department helicopter fly over our home three times rescuing hikers on the state’s Maunawili Falls trail.

In spite of the flash-flood warnings and rainy weather, these hikers chose to go hiking on a trail that is very muddy and slippery during the rain.

We understand that the Hono-lulu Fire Department does not want to charge for these services.

However, a review of this policy is merited.

In California, CALSTAR provides helicopter rescue services to some cities. Total "lift-off" costs for a helicopter rescue is calculated at $16,165. This is an inclusive costs of the personnel and equipment needed to run these rescues.

Just like when a person calls 911 for an ambulance, the hikers’ insurance company would be charged for the costs, not all taxpayers.

It makes sense that we stand accountable for our personal choices, good and bad.

Chris Nakamatsu
Kailua

Driverless cars seem a bit risky

My emotions ran from laughter to anxiety when I read about Google’s coming driverless cars ("Passenger-only, truly driverless cars set to hit the road by summer 2015," Star-Advertiser, May 29).

It reminded me of the joke about the first completely automated commercial airline flight.

Passengers are seated on the airliner and hear this announcement:

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen.Welcome aboard the world’s first completely automated flight. The flight will be totally controlled by computers. There are no pilots on board. But don’t worry; all systems have been completely checked and are engineered to be fail-safe. Nothing can possibly go wrong … go wrong … go wrong … go wrong…

Ray Graham
Waikiki