Remember “government of the people, by the people and for the people”?

The state Department of Health has the fate of thousands of medical marijuana patients in its hands.

Who decided that nobody is supposed to know who is on the dispensary application approval team, or who picked them (“Panel, process for pot licenses to remain secret,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 10)?

Sounds like Big Brother knows what is best for everyone.

And for that matter, why not just have free enterprise? The number of pharmacies per county should not be limited by the state.

Sandra Conrad

Ala Moana

_____

Sanders would be a loser even if he won

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ proposals are great but absolutely pie-in-the-sky.

The big turnout he expects won’t change the Republican majority in the gerrymandered House. Thanks to him for bringing campaign financing reform to the fore, but it will take a generation to change campaign financing and gerrymandering.

I hope when Hillary Clinton is nominated, Sanders will support her and Democrats as enthusiastically as he now campaigns.

Lunsford Phillips

Kailua

_____

Estimate of lost taxes from REITs way low

I have a few comments regarding the real estate investment trusts (REITs) article by Andrew Gomes (“Lawmakers target REITs for added tax revenue,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 1).

First, $16 million in lost tax revenue is grossly understated. When General Growth sold 37.5 percent of Ala Moana Center, the lost tax revenue on the capital gain was easily triple that.

Second, to say, “Why should REITs pay taxes on money they don’t keep?” is misleading. A state tax would be a deduction for the REIT and merely means it has less to pay out in dividends. It is not like paying to enter Disneyland and then paying for the rides.

Third, to say that Hawaii generates revenue from taxing the dividends that its residents earn from non-Hawaii REITs is deceptive. Considering Hawaii’s population, it is safe to say that the tax generated from taxing non-Hawaii REIT income does not come near the revenue it loses from exempting Hawaii REITs.

Paul L. Takenaka

Kakaako

_____

Starving cats would make things worse

As our lawmakers consider a bill to ban the feeding of free-roaming cats — which equates to starving them to death — I hope they will consider the following:

>> It is absolutely inhumane.

>> Creating this vacuum will only bring in other less desirable creatures, especially rodents.

>> Starving them will force them to be aggressive and to spread into more areas, looking for food.

>> Do we really want our tourists, on top of looking at our homeless situation, to also see sickly and dying cats?

The effective solution is to fund sterilization programs and encourage those who feed the cats to trap and sterilize them.

I really hope our lawmakers will be wise, effective and compassionate in their decision- making.

Ginny Tiu

Hawaii Loa Ridge

_____

Lotteries would be win-win for Hawaii

So Gov. David Ige thinks it’s better to not have lotteries because it would “be taking out of the economy whatever is sold in lottery tickets” (“Eyes on the prize,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 7).

How so?

Trips to Las Vegas are advertised in our newspaper and on TV, urging people to fly there and leave their money on the mainland.

Is it possible that some of our anti-gambling politicians have stakes in the hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, or investments in the airlines that fly us there?

Tourists would be able to participate, leaving money right here in Hawaii. We’re facing increased taxes on all fronts; give us a break.

It’s a win-win situation.

Joan Huber

Diamond Head

_____

Isle tourism must prepare for Chinese

I realize Gov. David Ige has a big to-do list and too many things to complete, but data I have provided to the governor and the state legislators show 15 million tourists from China could visit Hawaii in the near future.

It would be best to start preparing for their arrivals as soon as possible. It’s a great opportunity for Hawaii.

If Hawaii can’t meet their needs for accommodations, entertainment, gambling and shopping, they will go elsewhere.

Investors are interested in pouring billions of dollars and creating thousands of jobs to jump-start a lagging economy. The state will not survive without cash infusion.

We don’t have to go the same way as Puerto Rico, with a $72 billion debt that it can’t repay.

Jim Duncan

Aiea

_____

Progress being made against moped noise

I’ve seen a number of letters recently relating to moped noise, which has been a longstanding problem in many communities.

The good news is there is now an islandwide moped noise-mitigation working group that is addressing this noise through legislation.

The group proposes to require annual moped safety inspections; allow police to require an inspection or correction of mopeds suspected of illegal modifications; increase fines for modifying moped motors and mufflers; and require license plates on mopeds for easier identification of violations.

A quarter of all neighborhood boards have already formally supported this initiative, with more taking it up.

Public hearings on related bills have been scheduled and would benefit from testimony.

Tim Streitz

McCully-Moiliili