With "qualifications" like these, in unsettled times like these, we must make sure this man does not get anywhere near the White House.

MCCAIN/PALIN TICKET IS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE

Our country is facing many challenges this election year. There are many, many people telling us what to do about them. Some of them are louder and get better press coverage, and some more reasoned and softer spoken.

Some of the reasoned voices are telling us to be fiscally responsible. Unfortunately, both of our Hawai'i senators and one of our representatives rank in the lowest tier of wasteful pork-barrel spenders, according to Citizens Against Government Waste, a public service watchdog organization.

Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin have committed to attacking government waste and inefficiency.

We need to cut spending, increase revenues, stop deficit budgets and pay down our debt. Vote for a fiscally responsible team that will put our country before their party. Vote for McCain/Palin.

MCCAIN CAN DEFINITELY BE CALLED A MAVERICK

A close look at John McCain's voting record shows he votes along party lines less than 90 percent of the time which by Congress' standards is quite low. Thus, his maverick or independent status is justified.

Barack Obama's party line votes are about 95 percent in a Congress with an approval rating of around 9 to 15 percent.

Not sure who the agent for change is.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZER COMMENTS SHAMEFUL

How insulting that Sarah Palin and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani mocked the role of a community organizer.

For more than a century, community organizers have made a difference by helping disenfranchised people and empowering them to become productive citizens.

The desperate and disparaging comments of Palin and Giuliani are a reflection not only of their elitism but of their appalling arrogance.

How shameful that they put down the efforts of community organizers, much of which have led to the birth and advancement of civil rights. Community organizers have put people first, often sacrificing their personal interests. It is community organizers who have put their community and country first — not those politicians who emptily use the slogan "country first" just for partisan purposes.

PALIN CRITICISM SHOWS WISDOM OF CHOICE

The sheer volume of vociferous letters published by The Advertiser against Gov. Sarah Palin indicates the wisdom of John McCain's choice of her as his running mate. She is a great American woman and politician — she drives the left crazy.

LINDA LINGLE

FOCUS IS ON HAWAI'I AND NOT NATIONAL STAGE

I am proud that Gov. Linda Lingle has been recognized on the national scene and has spoken eloquently about the challenges and responsibilities of being a mayor and governor. I take issue with David Shapiro, who implies in his Sept. 3 column that Gov. Lingle has set her sights on Washington and has not demonstrated leadership at home.

The governor has made it clear she intends to carry out her obligations to the residents of Hawai'i until the end of her term in 2010. Her record of accomplishments speaks for itself.

Since taking office, the governor has deftly redirected our state toward energy security, enacted over $350 million in tax relief; toughened penalties for repeat offenders and those who prey on children; and reformed the government purchasing process — all examples of working with a Democrat-controlled Legislature.

Mr. Shapiro argues the governor has not been able to attain important national accomplishments. However, the designation of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as the Papahanaumo-kuakea Marine National Monument; the U.S. Department of Energy-Hawai'i renewable energy partnership; hundreds of millions of federal dollars for health and human services, mental health services and drug prevention; and a partnership with NASA to support robotics education and aerospace are just a few examples of how her strong relationships in Washington delivered for this state.

National statistics confirm Hawai'i moved up 10 spots in Forbes magazine's ranking of best states to do business. We moved up 11 spots in the Milken Institute's State Technology and Science Index, rising to 28th in the nation. Hawai'i is one of 12 states where poverty has declined and one of five states with the lowest rates of medically uninsured, according to the Census Bureau.

The governor continues to make it clear that her future is focused on Hawai'i. Pundits should do likewise, rather than speculate on her aspirations.