GAMBLING

STATE-RUN LOTTERY IS BETTER THAN CASINOS

With all this talk resurfacing about gambling in Hawai'i, all I can say is we don't need to go that route, yet. I for one do not want our island to turn into Vegas of the Pacific. Especially with our hotels on the beach turning into possible casinos!

I do however think that we should look into a state-run lottery. That way the state can assure how the money is distributed among all the urgent areas that need the funding. Examples include road repairs, sheltering the homeless, emergency services, etc.

This would also keep this so-called form of gambling in state hands and out of possible criminal activities that legalized gambling could attract.

One of the arguments is that people who are less fortunate would spend all their money on lotto tickets. Face it, they already are by gambling on football, chicken fights, gambling halls, etc. At least if they are spending their money on lotto tickets, some good can come out of it, like education needs and lowering taxes.

That way, they are contributing to the betterment of our state and helping to stimulate our local economy.

NOT 'COMPENSATION'

CALL EXCESSIVE SALARIES WHAT THEY REALLY ARE

I recently read a column about executive salaries, and observed the word "compensation" repeated over and over and over again.

People who work generally get paid, receive earnings, wages, or a salary, but when they make into the six or seven figures it's called "compensation."

I think of "compensation" as a redress for some injury, as if the recipient is someone we should on some level feel sorry for, and compensate accordingly.

Who exactly is being injured? Who should we be feeling sorry for? Compensating for what?

Possibly the word "compensation," thus cleverly usurped, lies at the heart of the problem of excessive executive salaries, with its subtly ironclad assurance of entitlement and being deserving; and that even as we heap millions on one person, we still somehow feel a little sorry for them, without knowing why, and "compensate" them even more.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING

WITH SO MANY NEEDS, IS RAIL 'ESSENTIAL'?

Mayor Hannemann was quoted as saying, "We're trying to be as prudent as possible, only spending on things that are essential."

To name only a few, the Environmental Protection Agency is directing the city to fix the water waste system, our roads are atrocious, schools are in need of repair and libraries need to cut hours.

In addition, the government is cutting back on many things, including education and social services. People are losing their jobs and their homes. The Foodbank is begging for help, the Salvation Army and many other charities are asking for help.

Years ago we were told that the Convention Center was "essential," and now it sits empty much of the time.

With all of the problems we face as a nation and a state, is the rail "essential?" I wonder if the rail would have passed if Salt Lake residents had known they would be excluded from the route only days after the vote?

HUDSON CRASH

PERHAPS COUNTRY CAN LEARN FROM MIRACLE

Watching the newscast of the plane floating down the Hudson river in freezing weather was a horrible feeling. When time went by and it was revealed that everyone survived with only minor injuries, I realized that a miracle had just happened.

When some of the survivors were interviewed they all said the same thing: "It was calm and quiet, everyone helped each other out, women and children first."

There had to have been a higher power at work considering the circumstances.

I was thinking, maybe it was an omen for Americans, as our country and the economy are floating down the river. If we realize we are all in this together and stay calm and help each other we too shall survive the crisis at hand.

We have a new pilot guiding the country. I hope he too will walk the aisles to make sure everyone is safe.

Please, stop running red lights, drinking and driving, doing things other than driving; wear a helmet, your family wants you around. The life you save may be your own or someone else's.

CORRUPTION

OBAMA'S LIFE OFFERS CLUE ON REMEDY FOR NATION

How is it possible that some of America's best schools sent some of their ablest students to some of Wall Street's outstanding institutions only to have them end up corrupting or being corrupted by the system? How could many of the supposedly sound students end up morally bankrupt and destructive beyond belief?

Barack Obama's life thus far reminds us: A life of service to your fellow man is the best immunization against the ravages of narrow self-interest. That the best remedy to restore the nation's economic health is to restore democracy's preeminence over capitalism in order that both will thrive together and "we will overcome what ails us now."

LEEWARD COAST

FARRINGTON HIGHWAY NEEDS TO BE WIDENED

Widen Farrington Highway to six lanes from Nanakuli to H-1 and do it right away.

The existing 4 1/2-mile right-of-way is already wide enough as it exists. Carefully planned and executed, the job can be done with minimum disruption.

It will be a shovel-ready infrastructure project with economic gain much bigger than its cost. It will improve the quality of life for the entire Leeward coast. It will do the same good thing that widening Kalaniana'ole Highway did for East O'ahu. This would be a great New Year's resolution, wouldn't it?

Let's give this idea some serious thought!