State legislators are always looking for ways to increase the state’s revenues.

The direct way of doing this is by increasing the taxes on its constituents. Lawmakers would do this to improve the state’s financial condition and fund programs that benefit the state.

They can accomplish these goals indirectly by increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour. With more income to its constituents, the state gets more tax revenues and we all benefit from better wages and better state- funded programs.

The only risk is that the increase in wages negatively affects business growth.

Raising the minimum wage is a risk-reward proposition that benefits the state as a whole. Also, the greatest benefit is to the low-income earners who get a much-needed increase in pay.

Stuart Shimazu

Kaimuki

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Trump demonstrates why he’s no moron

I take issue with David Weiss’s cheap shot, saying most people know President Donald Trump is a moron (“Teachers must teach, not be armed cops,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 27).

Of all the derogatory terms that I might use to describe Trump, moron isn’t one of them. A moron doesn’t raise an impressive family, host a popular TV show, amass a small fortune, and get elected president.

Then, after slamming Trump, Weiss lamely rejected a very logical proposal that might actually have a chance of helping deter mass killings in schools.

Geoff Boehm

Waikiki

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Government failures allowed Fla. shooting

The recent shooting in Parkland, Fla., is a horrific illustration of the failure of government at all levels: First and foremost, the FBI was alerted to the danger of Nikolas Cruz, the alleged gunman, at least two times; the Broward County sheriff was alerted to the danger posed by Cruz at least 23 times; the local school district also was alerted to Cruz.

Aside from the opportunity to prevent the shooting, five Broward County sheriff’s deputies, one of whom was on scene when the shooting began, failed to appropriately and aggressively engage the shooter. Appropriate action by law enforcement would have minimized or prevented deaths.

The National Rifle Association exists to ensure its 5 million members are guaranteed their Second Amendment rights are not infringed upon by a bunch of liberals seeking a scapegoat for the colossal failure of government. The more liberals and mainstream media demonize law-abiding gun owners, the more contributions the NRA will receive.

Robert Thurston

Haleiwa

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Why not require weapons for all?

I have a modest proposal in response to the school tragedy in Florida. Staunch Second Amendment advocates, those seeking safe schools, and weapons manufacturers all would be on board with this: I propose Congress pass, and President Donald Trump, sign legislation mandating everyone openly carry a weapon at all times.

Additionally, this new law would legalize rocket launchers, flame throwers, RPGs and other weapons of war needed to defend oneself against the tyrannical government.

What’s not to like? More money and jobs, real Second Amendment rights, and the chance for first-graders to take out the “bad guy” with one crack shot. A true brave new world!

Chris Gray

Chinatown

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Suicide bill lacks aloha for kupuna

It was a sad day for the wonderful, loving and amazing kupuna, residents and those who visit the most beautiful land in the world — the land of aloha, where we love, honor and respect our kupuna.

House committees voted to pass the new Our Care, Our Choice Act, originally known as death with dignity. We can also thank many mainland lobbyists oblivious to the spirit of aloha that compels our hearts to care for and not kill our very own. Physician-assisted suicide allows a doctor to prescribe to a person diagnosed as terminally ill lethal drugs to kill themselves, even though terminal illness is often wrongly diagnosed.

At a time where suicide tragically takes a life every other day in paradise, physician-assisted suicide is a slippery slope and a horrifying precedent. We also know unregulated nursing and care homes are rarely inspected and abuse, coercion and neglect run rampant.

Let’s share true aloha and compassion, offering stellar palliative and hospice care to our loved ones.

Janet Grace

Aina Haina

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Don’t deny people right to end their life

It’s bad enough when somebody tries to tell you how to live your life.

It’s selfish and cruel when somebody tries to tell you how to end your life.

People who oppose death with dignity are the most self-centered and selfish people imaginable.How dare they try to tell any kupuna or terminally ill person they do not have the right to end their life on their own terms. Auwe!

John Wong

Aiea

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Letters hit the mark on guns, aid in dying

Regarding the letters from Carl Zimmerman (“Second Amendment is obsolete,” Star-Advertiser, March 2), and Bernard Lum (“Pass medical aid in dying,” Star-Advertiser, March 2), I could not have said it better myself in both cases.

Hear, hear, gentlemen!

Jody Moore

Kaneohe

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Honolulu Zoo should keep the wallaby

The Honolulu Zoo is trying to decide what to do with the recently captured wallaby nicknamed Halawa. Easy answer: Keep it at the zoo. It would be a great educational tool and exhibit about the many non-indigenous animals that are now found on Oahu. Also, it’s a local, born on the island, and should be left here. And finally, they are just durn cute; the kids (and most adults) will absolutely love seeing it. Keep Halawa at the zoo!

Larry Dove

Waipahu