It’s disheartening to hear that the Republicans will undo most of President Barack Obama’s accomplishments, including the Affordable Care Act.

Their agenda, seen by many as racially motivated, is a continuation of their efforts to delegitimize Obama’s presidency. The Republicans are again demonstrating their addiction to extremism.

The ACA is a lifesaver for poor and middle-class workers. For them, ACA is heaven on Earth in that they now have access to affordable health care and no longer faced the painful choice between food and health care for their children.

If the Republicans repeal the ACA without replacing it with a better plan, they would be endangering the well-being of poor families. Denying them of their only lifeline to health care is cruel and un-American.

The Republicans have no problem dishing out corporate welfare, but have a callous indifference toward the poor and the hungry.

It’s a crying shame.

Rod B. Catiggay

Mililani

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Demand decency from our president

No, it is not time to stand behind Donald Trump and to “get over it” (“Time to stand behind Trump presidency,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 12).

I have no problem with political positions that differ from my own, and fully understand that in a democracy there is room for conflicting views. However, I will never support a person who bullies others, calls people names, flouts our laws and Constitution, and misrepresents facts to suit himself (otherwise known as lying).

What are we to tell our children who are taught respect, tolerance and a commitment to the rule of law?

Those of us who think and feel this way should not “get over it.” We should seek to respectfully advocate for decency, social justice and to demonstrate the great love we have for our country.

Barbara Mathews

Kailua

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Trump threatens critics, free speech

Recently Meryl Streep talked publicly about how much it hurt her to see a political candidate mock a disabled person. She spoke up for decency.

After ludicrously denying that this ever happened, Donald Trump and his apologists viciously attacked Streep, trying to denigrate her character, her creativity and her artistic contributions. They tried to suggest she did something wrong.

But what Streep did was in step with the highest traditions of this country: She insisted on respect for all persons, whatever their race, religion or disability. When people see a holder of high office behaving as a bully and a liar, they have a right to speak out. If people are deterred from speaking freely because of threats and intimidation (and in Trump’s favorite country, Russia, the prospect of jail or murder), then the U.S. will no longer be a democracy.

If Trump really wants to promote democratic values, he will have to behave quite differently.

Thomas Wills

Kaimuki

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Moped requirements nuisance in Waialua

Forget Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem and Hydroxycut: We have our new moped law effective Jan. 1 (“Registration, inspection of mopeds to take effect,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 31).

I live on the North Shore and the nearest safety check station for mopeds is in Wahiawa. The next closest is in town.

That means, in order to comply with this newfangled law, I have to ride my moped up that dreaded heartbreak hill to Wahiawa to get my safety check — twice.

My moped is going to be crying, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can” for the 11 miles to Wahiawa.

In order to spare my poor moped, I plan to shed a few gallons of beer. I have to or break the law. We don’t need those fad diet regimens, we have our lawmakers to thank.

Royle Kaneshige

Waialua

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Establish volunteer rescue department

Almost daily there is a news report about the fire department rescuing injured or lost hikers. Lee Cataluna suggested that the fire department set up a separate department to rescue tourists who get in trouble hiking where they shouldn’t hike or swimming where they shouldn’t swim (“Foundering canoe is full already, yet more get in,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 11).

Colorado has set up a semi-private system of mountain rescue squads throughout the state. Squad members are volunteers who respond to lost or injured hikers using equipment donated to them or bought with government funds.

Hawaii should establish a rescue department that will aid lost or injured hikers. This program could be expanded to include sea rescues. The volunteers go through special training every weekend. This would free up firefighters to do what they are supposed to do, and save taxpayers money.

Wim Blees

Mililani

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Terraced rice fields can help homeless

Here’s a project to achieve food independence and reduce the number of Hawaii’s homeless who are able-bodied adults, yet prefer free time over available work.

Set able-bodied adults who don’t find work on their own, to terracing Windward Oahu’s relentlessly eroding mountains into stable, tourist-attracting, rice-producing fields.

China did it by hand; so can Hawaii. Rice is one of Hawaii’s biggest food imports. Make it an export. Erosion caused by rainfall washes tons of Hawaii’s soil into the sea. End it.

The project would provide a sense of meaningful accomplishment that’s missing from government subsidized make-work programs. It requires too little cash to attract corruption that is guaranteed by megabuck projects like rail transit.

And it’s literally shovel-ready. Why not?

George L Berish

Kakaako