President Donald Trump went into office to shake up the establishment. But there is a difference between shaking up policy and shaking up process.

Changes in process and the erosion of norms that support that process can threaten the very system we rely on for nonviolent change in a free society. It’s not merely a question of “style” or “cutting red tape.”

But I’ll miss his boldness. When he telephoned the newly elected head of Taiwan to congratulate her, the foreign policy establishment pitched a fit. And I’m happy that he allowed the sale of 66 F-16s to Taiwan. Taiwan is never going to launch a first-strike attack on mainland China.

Sometimes you can’t worry about being “destabilizing,” because that’s just code for “status quo” and cover for being “chicken.” Maybe try that without the process violations.

Lloyd Lim

Makiki

Biden doesn’t represent Catholic view of abortion

Well, pat yourselves on the back if you cast a ballot for someone who says he is Catholic and thinks he has a mandate to give everyone a chance at a fair shot. Of course, everyone does not include all people — not those who are unborn.

This is a man who wants to “restore our soul” of the nation, yet will fund Planned Parenthood. I am a Catholic voter and I pray he doesn’t get anywhere near my soul.

For shame is the only thing I can say to you.

Judgment will be made by our God.

God bless America.

Rosalie Tadda

Mililani

If there was voter fraud, it targeted Democrats

People seem puzzled about how poorly the Democrats performed overall relative to the predictions of the polls. The answer is obvious. President Donald Trump is right: This election is a fraud. The only way a candidate with his catastrophic standings in the polls, coupled with his enormous disapproval ratings, could have done as well as he seems to have done is because he was beneficiary of millions of counterfeit votes, possibly supplied by his pal, Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As for the Democrats’ poor showing relative to the polls, we must invoke an alternative explanation: that four years of methodical and unrelenting voter suppression, cutting back on polling stations, removing mailboxes, extra- ordinary gerrymandering and more have taken their toll.

The polls reflect what people intend to do and how they will vote. The election, on the other hand, tells us how many were able to do so. Republicans made sure that a sizeable percentage of Joe Biden supporters simply could not get their votes in.

Martin Blinder, M.D.

Kaaawa

‘Mask required’ signs should be everywhere

Pictorial signage saying “mask required” — not only on doors of business but posted all around public areas — should have been implemented islandwide before opening our islands to tourism. Such a simple sign can save lives.

Liane Wong

Kailua

Don’t put COVID info on highway signs

It is my understanding that electronic state highway signage is reserved for information related to the state Department of Transportation. Apparently, this policy is no longer being followed.

Instead, these signs are displaying COVID-related information that has absolutely nothing to do with traffic or Amber alerts or anything else in the scope of transportation policy. My tax dollars are being used, in my opinion, to display misleading and alarmist messages to motorists.

In DOT’s Intelligent Transportation System Architecture Strategic Plan, it says that ITS is “a key component of an effective traffic and congestion management program. By providing the public with information on traffic conditions, construction, special events, incidents and advisories, travelers can make informed travel choices.”

I do not interpret this as promoting the wearing of masks or OneOahu.org, a city-sponsored site providing COVID- related information on the public.

As a taxpayer, I strongly suggest that all nontraffic-related messaging no longer be displayed on DOT electronic signage.

David Hioki

Aloha Freedom Coalition

Moiliili

It may be too soon for tourists to come back

Is it a good idea to reopen our state to tourists so soon? We may have very low cases of coronavirus right now because we as kamaaina, who actually live here, have it under control. Can the governor guarantee that there will not be another spike in coronavirus cases? Will we who live here have to suffer and go back to that lockdown again?

Joey Lee

Waipahu

Students should be back in COVID-safe schools

Instead of criticizing the reopening of public schools to in-person learning, teachers union president Corey Rosenlee should be campaigning to have unused CARES Act money put toward outfitting our public schools with necessary personal protective equipment, such as plastic barriers, that private schools have used to make it safe for their students to return to in-person learning.

I have not heard of private school students being infected after reopening. Our public schools students are being deprived of social contact and in-person learning so necessary for proper development of those who cannot afford a private school education.

It has been well publicized that the state has a good amount of unused CARES Act money that needs to be spent or lost before year’s end. I would have thought the governor, whose spouse is an educator, would have recognized the importance of having our students back in the classroom.

Linda Teruya

Makiki

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