WAR

CREDIBLE REPORTS SHOW NO IRAQ, AL-QAIDA LINK

Mr. John Ahern's letter (Jan. 24) suggesting there are three parts to the war in Iraq was interesting, but I sure would like to know what credible source he used to comprise his theory.

International and bipartisan agencies have said in clear terms that there was no connection between Iraq and 9/11, yet Mr. Ahern, George Bush, Dick Cheney and Condoleezza Rice are about the only four people left who still use that rhetoric to justify invading a country that did nothing to us and was under international scrutiny.

Did anyone ever hear of insurgents before we invaded Iraq? How many times and ways does it need to be said by credible sources that we were misled and the war in Iraq is directly tied to Mr. Bush's personal vendetta against Saddam Hussein?

Instead of believing everything the Fox "so-called" News Channel says, read the credible reports. You might learn something.

GOERING'S WORDS CITED IN CONTEXT OF TODAY

It is interesting to look back on the start of the Iraq war after reading the comments made by the infamous Nazi Field Marshall Hermann Goering at the Nuremberg trials:

"Naturally, the common people don't want war...but after all, it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it is a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them that they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country."

TRANSPORTATION

NEW ROADS NEEDED, NOT TOLLS FOR EXISTING LANES

I have seen the state Department of Transportation come up with some stupid ideas in my time, but building a toll road from existing lanes that we have already paid for in taxes just about takes the cake.

I agree that a toll road may be a necessary addition to a fixed-rail system, as even with a fixed-rail system the number of cars on the freeway will increase as population increases on the 'Ewa plain.

But a toll road has to be a "new" road, and if it is a private toll road it should be built entirely with private funds!

Using existing lanes does nothing except increase congestion on the remainder of the highway, especially because using the two Zipper lanes actually reduces the highway by three lanes as one lane is used to accommodate the Zipper. Even if the extra lane were not used, it effectively reduces the freeway capacity by two lanes.

We pay the highest gasoline taxes in the nation. Does all of that money go to highways? That is one question you should ask the state. If a private toll road were built, would the state take a cut of the funds? I would suspect so, based on past history (the bottle bill being a case in point).

We need "new" roads, not charges for using the ones we have already paid for.

URBAN CULTURE IS AT THE ROOT OF OUR PROBLEM

We could build a 20-lane freeway from Kapolei to Honolulu, but what good would it do? The city can only absorb vehicles at a fixed rate. It's like attaching a fire hose to a lawn sprinkler; it will still take two hours to water the yard. Instead of a seven-mile, four-lane parking lot, we'll have a wider one that's only two miles long.

The solution lies in spawning and/or relocating destinations. Imagine having only one grocery store on the island and you'll understand the problem. Centralizing government, major commerce and schools centralizes traffic.

Our culture created a beast called "Urban." We suburbanites religiously feed it gasoline — several gallons a day from each of us. We make sacrifices to it by giving it 10 or 20 hours of our lives every week. Let's face it, we're owned.

If only we had a few billion dollars, we could make the beast our slave. Then we could walk to work and school, or ride a bike — golf carts are fun, too.

PROPERTY VALUES

HOMELESS PROBLEM IS PART OF A LARGER ISSUE

It is very commendable how much effort is made in Hawai'i and especially on O'ahu to provide shelter for the homeless. The Advertiser, in particular, gives this issue a lot of coverage, but unfortunately does not totally explain how this problem is part of a much larger issue.

One of the major contributing components to this problem is the rising property values on O'ahu. As the prices for homes increase, so do rentals, which forces more people onto the beach.

Property taxes also increase, and no mention is made of the city setting aside some of this windfall income to help the homeless.

The city is seeing additional millions of new dollars, which they immediately seem to budget for something else.

The issue of housing for the homeless cannot be protected from market forces. Owners have a right to obtain maximum value. Any compromise is just temporary relief, so let's plan to use some of this extra money the city is getting to alleviate the problem.

Another part of the equation is that Hawai'i gets many immigrants from other Pacific islands who come here for a better life. Unfortunately, many of these people come here without adequate sponsors and are unprepared for the high cost of living. So, they live on the beach.

It's another aspect of the "broken borders" issue.

There are other aspects to this situation, and they all need to be looked at if we are to make any progress in providing housing for the homeless.

A GREAT LEGACY

BARBARO SHOWED US ALL HIS EXCEPTIONAL TRAITS

Character, determination, pride and honor are but a few thoughts that come to mind when describing that magnificent thoroughbred, Barbaro. He revered life right to the end, and left us with a great legacy.

Oh, if all of mankind would only draw upon the exceptional traits displayed by Barbaro throughout his short but dazzling life, how much better life on this planet would be.

Bless you, Barbaro, and may you run eternally free.

SAVING MONEY

SOME RULE CHANGES WOULD BENEFIT SOCIETY

Instead of spending multi-billion dollars on rail, target uninsured vehicles. I've read that anywhere from 20 to 28 percent of the vehicles on the road are uninsured. Install a computer system that will identify uninsured vehicles, then confiscate them until a large fine is paid.

A major reason for lack of affordable housing is that there are no time limits on occupancy. There should be a limit, say five to 10 years. That will increase turnover by instilling a sense of urgency for people to improve their financial situation.

Mandatory drug/substance abuse testing should be required for all welfare recipients with zero tolerance. One strike and you're off the rolls.

Why is smoking banned in all public facilities except the prison?

A ton of money can be saved if the law would dictate that insurers need not pay a penny to scofflaws who are injured or killed while breaking the law, for example not using seat belts, driving under the influence and excessive speeding.

Does license confiscation stop these guys from driving? No, but vehicle confiscation will. Worth thinking about.

STATE BUDGET

PEOPLE ARE OVERTAXED, RETURN SURPLUS MONEY

I read with amazement the letters encouraging the state government to keep the huge budget surplus rather than return it to us.

Do some people really believe the state will spend the money wisely and efficiently? What government entity has ever spent money wisely and efficiently? Government is famous for mismanaging money.

In 1966, the year I moved to Hawai'i, the main political issues were: 1) the high cost of living, 2) the lack of affordable housing, 3) a poor public education system and 4) too much traffic. Over those 40 years the state and county governments have thrown countless billions of dollars at those problems, and every one of those problems has gotten worse. Isn't there a lesson there?

The Department of Education alone spent 10 times more in 2005 than it did in 1975, while the number of public school students declined. Are our schools better because of all that extra funding?

The state has a surplus because we're overtaxed. It should be returned to the people who earned it. That would be us.

LET INDIVIDUALS DECIDE HOW TO SPEND MONEY

I appreciate the fact that the House Republicans realize that taxpayers should keep more of their money, not the government.

I know that an extra $100 may not seem like a significant amount. But in our state, with its high cost of living and a state government that taxes the poor and middle class more than most other states, every amount counts. For my friend who diligently saves for his 2-year old daughter's future, that $100 puts him closer to the thing that all good parents want for their children: a good education. And for me, well, it is my money.

If you don't want to keep your rebate, find a charity of your choice to give it to. Better it than the government. The point being that what you do with the rebate is your choice.

I am relieved that there are elected people at the state Capitol who believe that people can make more efficient decisions with their money than government. It gives me hope for the future.