The headline to the article on proposed changes to the federal tax code reads, “GOP tax plan would hit isle taxpayers hard” (Star-Advertiser, Nov. Opens in a new tab12) Opens in a new tab.
It should read, “GOP tax plan would hit some taxpayers hard” — primarily wealthy taxpayers, many of whom don’t even live here. Why should “isle taxpayers,” who in many cases cannot even afford a home of their own, subsidize these wealthier individuals with a tax deduction?
The same goes for the deduction for state and local taxes paid. Why should taxpayers in other states subsidize our foolish government cost overruns here in Hawaii?
The real estate industry argues that these changes would adversely affect home sales prices. Well, hallelujah! Maybe more people here in Hawaii would then be able to afford to buy a home.
Edward D. Lasky
Hawaii Kai
—
Developers won’t act on climate change
Dr. Charles Fletcher has clearly described the threat that climate change poses for Honolulu as well as the steps that should be taken to mitigate some of its effects (“Development of Kakaako should anticipate inevitably rising seas,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Nov. Opens in a new tab12) Opens in a new tab.
I doubt, however, that developers will voluntarily choose to take these mitigation actions for a problem that won’t be theirs once the condos are sold. Regulations must be enacted by city and state legislators that require mitigation actions to be implemented for new developments.
Governors, mayors, Council members, legislators and those who want to be politicians should examine Fletcher’s article carefully: This is what leadership looks like.
Michael Richards
Kaneohe
—
Parents can help kids excel in school
David Miyashiro’s objective to help ensure that every child in Hawaii gets a great education will be challenging (“New advocacy group aims to put kids first in educational policy,” Star-Advertiser, Nov 6) Opens in a new tab — especially when it comes to improving the quality of education in disadvantaged area schools with its teacher turnover problems, substitute teacher fill-ins and high student dropout rate.
Something his group also should consider is educating tomorrow’s parents on the mental needs of a child, beginning at birth. Parents are aware of a child’s physical needs — keeping them fed, clean and healthy — but unaware of their mental needs.
Neurologists say that 50 percent of neuron brain cells develop by age 5 through the stimulation of the five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch).
Parents need information about this, as well as knowledge of the skills a child should have when beginning school. Having students prepared for learning would be a big help to teachers in meeting lesson objectives.
Bill Punini Prescott
Nanakuli
—
Pride, gratitude for American flag image
About Saturday’s editorial cartoon of our American flag, and most particularly the words at bottom: “Made possible through the generous service of a veteran near you” (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 11): I wish I could get a real picture to display in our home.
Jackie Smith Weyhenmeyer
Mililani
—
Clinton promoted regime change
The past year under President Donald Trump has been a waking nightmare. Even with Hillary Clinton’s utterly corrupt subversion of a supposedly “neutral” nomination process, many still wish she had won a year ago (“Gabbard accuses DNC of rigging presidential primary for Clinton,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. Opens in a new tab4) Opens in a new tab. I don’t.
Sure, for U.S. citizens who are not members of the 1 percent, Clinton would have been far better. However, for those outside the U.S., not so much. She and President Barack Obama instigated regime change in Honduras in 2009, installing yet another corrupt right-wing oligarchy. According to the Guardian, femicide in that country spiked 60 percent higher, and Oxfam accused the police of “systematic indifference” to the often-random, brutal murders.
In 2011, Clinton and Obama promoted yet more regime change in Libya. The NATO intervention increased the deaths tenfold to 10,000, threw the country into chaos, provided havens for Islamic State recruitment and spread the Libyan arsenal throughout the Middle East.
No, there were no good options last Nov. 8. It really was a choice between arsenic and cyanide.
Jan Becket
Manoa
—
Trump gets a pass on sex-harassment talk
Several well-known men are accused of sexual abuse and harassment. They deny any such activity and yet are condemned and ostracized.
President Donald Trump brags about his customary “grabbing” maltreatment of women, which can’t be denied since we have it on tape. And yet he is worshipped by his base. Can somebody explain that to me?
James A. Hildenbrand
Kalani Valley
—
More boondoggles from government
Our elected officials seem to ignore history: rail costs poorly managed, airport facility construction poorly managed, federal grant money for housing poorly managed, Honolulu Police Department leadership poorly managed, highway construction changes poorly managed, and so on.
Now we face the fun of spending an estimated $525 million on a new jail (low-income housing at $502,873 per person?), nearly $700 million for the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, and who knows what for a new stadium. And Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s response to fiscal concerns is that the funding is from different sources.
Not really. We, the taxpayers, are the funding sources for these poker games.
Now list for yourself three significant government-managed projects in the past 10-15 years that were completed on time, on budget and actually worked.
Who is confused? The politicians or taxpayers?
Joel Brilliant
Hawaii Kai
