Paid-leave bill good for small businesses

As a community-minded small business owner of Kihei Ice Inc., on Maui, I am thrilled to see Senate Bill 2990, a bill that presents the opportunity to offer paid leave to employees.

Since it is a program similar to TDI (temporary disability insurance) rather than a payroll out-of-pocket obligation for the employer, this is a way for small employers to be able to compete with big companies for the very best employee candidates.

My business already offers a $15 minimum wage, a comprehensive medical plan with zero employee deductions, 401(k) and four weeks of paid holiday and vacation time, but paid leave has been out of reach and economically unfeasible for a small business with just 15 employees.

With provisions to ensure that this program wouldn’t turn into automatic annual additional “vacation” time, this proposed insurance-based concept takes the financial sting out of providing paid leave for hardworking families under strain from personal circumstances requiring their temporary undivided attention.

Tina Wildberger

Kihei, Maui

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Assault weapons aren’t protected

Every time a tragedy caused by gun violence happens, someone proposes that arming more teachers, preachers, administrators or “good people” will somehow solve the problem. They believe the Second Amendment gives everyone the right to “bear arms” without having any idea what the Second Amendment says.

Here is the actual wording: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

Since the arms of the Founding Fathers consisted of single-shot, muzzle-loading firearms, and since militias no longer exist, that renders the Amendment obsolete as written. The Supreme Court, in a 1939 ruling, held that the wording implied a “basic right” (as in free speech). However, the definition of arms has not been changed nor clarified by the Court.

Therefore, modern assault weapons do not carry any protection nor do they have any place in modern society as individual protection.

Allan Anderson

Ala Moana

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Protect Olelo from ‘digital Siberia’

Olelo TV is the choice of the people for the people. It is unique in the state of Hawaii. It transports the voice of the people and allows the people to be heard by giving them a platform.

Olelo helped to start a first or second career for many people in the multimedia field because it provides high-quality education at low cost and loans out its equipment. This way everyone who wants to spread some news can do so — until now.

If Olelo channels get banned into “digital Siberia,” a lot of people who don’t have the latest TV model or can’t afford the new receiver box because they are poor, will be excluded.

It is up to our government to protect the people, or allow Spectrum to get away with kicking Olelo to a place where it can’t be reached. I urge government to do something for the people of Hawaii and please leave Olelo where it is now.

Ulla Meyerhof

Kapolei

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Doctors who oppose suicide will get sued

Whatever happened to religious freedom in this country?

A baker told an LGBT couple he would sell them any cake in the place, but creating a custom wedding cake would make him a participant in a union his religion disapproves of.

Another LGBT couple wanted to rent a room at a Hawaii bed and breakfast. The owner refused to have them under her roof, as it was against her religion.

Either of these couples could have easily found another baker or place to stay instead of trying to destroy those who, because of religious beliefs, will not be complicit in their lifestyle.

So now we probably will have a suicide bill. The motto, “Our Care, Our Choice,” reminds me of abortions. Hey, if we can get rid of unwanted children, why not get rid of the old and infirm, too? God forbid an ethical doctor who took a Hippocratic oath to do no harm refuses to be involved. That doctor will be sued for not following the law. Wait for it.

Bonnie Clark

Ewa Beach

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Christians can’t back assisted-death bill

The state House of Representatives just passed the death-with-dignity bill with a margin I expected (“Now the Senate must decide,” Star-Advertiser, March 7).

My Christian view is that taking one’s own life is committing a great sin. The true Christian view of this matter is that God gives us life and God takes our life.

There are thousands in Hawaii who call themselves Christians, but how many can call themselves true Christians? I feel quite sure the state Senate will pass this bill with the similar margin as the House.

James Kataoka

Mililani Mauka

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U.S. should declare peace in Korea

What would happen if the United States declared peace on the Korean peninsula?

Technically, we’ve been at war since the uneasy armistice of 1953, so you can’t blame North Korea for taking up arms, powerful as it deems necessary, for its defense.

But what would happen if we told North Korea it can have its nuclear weapons, as we have so many other nations, and that it just has no need to use them against the U.S. or our allies South Korea and Japan, or others?

I’ve been to Korea’s DMZ, met with U.S. and South Korean military and civilian leaders, continue to study news from Korea, and believe we have an opportunity opened by the Winter Olympics, an opportunity embraced by South Koreans. Why not try a declaration of peace?

Don Chapman

Kaneohe