Democrats, GOP addicted to debt

Both political parties have a solution to our economic problems.

Democrats want more government spending. Republicans want tax cuts. But if you think about it, when we use borrowed money for these purposes, they are exactly the same policy.

We are taking money from future generations to help the people of today.Will it work?Yes, over the short term.But over the long term it spells disaster.

We must put an end to our addiction to debt before it destroys us.

Lloyd Lim
Makiki

Gabbard just fine as a Democrat

Why should U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard be asked to ruin her political career ("Maybe Gabbard should join GOP," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 12)?

We got what we asked for on Nov. 4, with 48 percent abstaining.

Needing to occasionally reach across the congressional aisle will be a character-building experience for our delegation.

Dennis Egge
Salt Lake

City band played state anthem first

On Veterans Day, the Royal Hawaiian Band played at the Kahala Nui Senior Living Center for an hour.

For the first time in my memory, they played the Hawaii state anthem before "The Star-Spangled Banner."

If this was a political statement, it was badly timed, as they played before an audience of military retirees of all ranks.It did not go unnoticed. My loyalty is primarily to the United States of America, and I am not ashamed to say so.

The orchestra members are civil service employees of the City & County of Honolulu.As such, they are not allowed by law to use taxpayer dollars to further any political agenda.

The musicians do as they are directed, but the decision originated with someone who should know better.

Robert A. Levy
Former chairman, Honolulu Symphony Orchestra

Veterans don’t want apologies

This is another comment on the Veterans Day apology cartoon (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 11).

If there is to be an apology, perhaps it should come from the Star-Advertiser.

I am a 92-year-old World War II veteran and I can assure you and your readers that when the call came, my generation swarmed the recruiting agencies.

We did not do so seeking acclaim or praise, and most certainly not apologies from our nation.

The same is true of all those who subsequently served in the armed forces in Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan or wherever assigned.

Ours not to reason why, ours but to serve our country.

We need no apologies, accept no apologies and reject such sentiments.

Norman MacRitchie
Kakaako

At least 9 cables serving Hawaii

A short article about the 50th anniversary of Trans-Pacific Cable 1 said that it is one of only two in the state ("HawTel’s first undersea cable 50 years old," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 12). We’re far better connected than that.

At last count, there are nine separate submarine cable systems connecting Hawaii to the U.S. mainland and many other countries all around the Pacific Rim — Central and South America, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia and other Far Eastern countries, the Philip- pines and Japan.There are cables to Guam, French Polynesia and American Samoa.

Edward K. Conklin
Waikiki

Religion is good but often abused

In response to Joyce Lyon, religion is good and a very necessary entity for human life because it brings solace and salvation to the human soul ("Bible holds key to world’s problems," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 27).

However, it is not all good. At times it denies and defies reality and logic, which might prove to be a hindrance to the improvement and economic well-being for our human society, thus causing aggravation to our already overburdened planet Earth.

Tetsuji Ono
Hilo