These ideas might help increase voting

Here are some possible incentives to encourage people to vote:

» Provide a "none of the above" selection for each race. If "none of the above" has the highest vote count, all candidates are eliminated and new ones take their place.

» Offer tax breaks for those who vote. Yes, it is a rather disgusting concept to pay citizens to vote, but American culture values the earning of a buck over everything. Many survey companies do this to get results. It’s worth a try.

» People who vote (with a stub to prove it) should take Election Day as a holiday in Hawaii. All others report to work or take a vacation day.

This is a truly shameful tradition in a state with one of the lowest voter turnouts in the country.

Kevin Roddy
St. Louis Heights

Maui voters put health over profit

Contrary to Faith Burns’ letter to the editor, Maui voters didn’t conclude that a ban on GMO products was warranted ("Maui anti-GMO vote not praiseworthy," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 6).

They said a moratorium is called for until corporate farmers can prove that these products and the way they are grown won’t harm the public.

After they prove that it’s not harmful and label GMO-modified food so the public is able to make an informed decision about what they are going to put in their bodies, then the moratorium should be lifted. Otherwise it should become a ban.

The greater good of the health of all the people trumps greater profits for some of the people.

Consider that if some kind of an environmental impact study and tests were performed before lead pipes were installed in Rome centuries ago, that empire may have not fallen.

Ed Burns
Mililani

Maui mayor avoids helpful dialogue

Supposedly politicians are representatives of the people in their districts and work to further their constituents’ wishes.

However, since the anti-GMO bill passed on Maui, the dialogue with the mayor of Maui has not been about how the mayor can accommodate the wishes of a majority of the population.It has been all about how poorly the bill was written, like the anti-GMO pesticide bill on Kauai.

Monsanto just spent $10 million to defeat labeling bills in Oregon and Colorado, plus $8 million to defeat the Maui initiative.

Opponents supported by Monsanto claim that federal regulatory agencies have deemed GMOs safe. But some of these regulatory agencies are staffed by former Monsanto executives.

Monsanto is truly an evil empire because it is subverting the wishes of the people through millions and millions of dollars spent on advertising and politicians.

Judith Pettibone
Makiki

Ige displayed good content, character

Approximately a year ago, we were in a quandary as towhom we would support for governor. The list appeared somewhat dismal. However, a new name appeared: "Ige."

When we heard him speak, we had difficulty understanding him. Butwe were inspired by the first gubernatorial debate. Here was this unknown candidate, standing up to Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s rhetoric.He was persistent, polite and to the point.Most of all, he displayed a sense of content and character.

His academic background was impressive. At his beef stew dinners, we were inspired by his volunteers, who were former teachers.

A legacy of leadership, commitment and dedication, recognized by family, friends and peers, unfolded to the electorate and the victory for David Ige became a reality.

He will be the first Okinawan governor in the United States.We can be proud that David Ige will stand tall, here and abroad, for the people of Hawaii.

Norma Nomura DeSaegher
Ewa Beach

Now is not time for GOP to compromise

What just happened?

The Republicans gained seven to nine U.S. Senate seats and 13 U.S. House seats giving them a historic majority, three governors (31 total), and control of 67 of the 98 state legislative bodies. Republicans control both the legislative and executive branches of government in 24 states, the Democrats just six.

Some have suggested that now is the time for the Republicans to work with President Barack Obama, to compromise to move his agenda. If that were the case, the voters would have elected more Democrats, not a much stronger opposition.

No, this earthquake election was a rejection, in detail, of the Obama/Harry Reid agenda and governing policies.

Will the president face this reality? Unfortunately, he probably will not and, instead, go on to secure his legacy as the most divisive president in modern history.

Will Democrats follow him down that road to political suicide? Given that politicians hope for a future in office, I don’t think so.

Jeff Pace
Kapahulu

Big trucks worsen freeway traffic

I’ve been a West Oahu resident for the past 57 years and have worked in Aiea for the past 35 years.

We have endured many roadway changes and trauma, but by far this rail project is the absolute worst.

I leave Royal Kunia at 5:15 a.m. in order to get to work before 6:30 a.m.Traffic at this hour is backed up past Kunia on the freeway.I can only imagine what it’s like for those who start later and work farther away.

Most motorists who once used Farrington and Kamehameha highways are now on the freeway due to the horrible conditions caused by rail construction.

One way to minimize congestion is to mandate that all large commercial trucks stay off the freeway from 5 to 8 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.

Last week, I dodged at least three huge Matson container trucks on the freeway and all the other vehicles trying to get around them. Tons of commercial vehicles drive between the West Side and town. The mandate could make a huge difference in our traffic commute.

Natlynn K. Cunningham
Royal Kunia