FROM MANY ERRORS COMES REAL SOLUTION

It seems public opinion matters to Gov. Lingle. After the Oct. 23 furlough rally she "changed" her mind about the HSTA contract that furloughed keiki, for 17 days this year. And in her best move yet, she recommended a constitutional amendment to make the Department of Education a cabinet-level position, to hold the superintendent accountable to the executive, not the board.
From her many mistakes comes a real solution.
Every other agency is separated from its policy making body (i.e. the Legislature and the Department of Agriculture). However, the BOE and the DOE are attached at the waist, rather comfortably. This arrangement garners little accountability, the result: our leaders are making poor decisions, decisions that put a crimp on Hawai'i's future.
If we detach the two we may finally be able to see some reform — something our state truly needs, seeing as we are at the bottom in the nation for student achievement.

mark aoki | Honolulu

UH FOOTBALL

PROGRAM SHOULD DIVERT FUNDS TO DOE

With the poor showing so far this season by the University of Hawaii football team, I have a suggestion.: Concede the rest of their games and donate the money saved to the public schools, Department of Education, to end the furlough days. This would certainly be money better spent.

sharon mclellan | Lahaina, Maui

FURLOUGHS

PAY CUT WOULD HAVE BETTER SERVED KEIKI

Oahu teachers say children's education is most important. Yet these same teachers think of themselves as hourly employees rather than salaried professionals. A pay cut rather than time off would have served the children and the community as most important.

stasia ko | Käneohe

TRAFFIC SAFETY

MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAW IS NEEDED

Cell phone laws were enacted because people weren't using common sense while using them and horrible accidents happened.

Let's enact a motorcycle helmet law for Hawaii. Wearing one is common sense, yet the majority of riders do not, and horrible accidents happen.

julia fortenberry | Käneohe

PHILIPPINES

FILIPINOS DESERVE BETTER IN MEDIA LIGHT

President Obama and columnist (Richard) Halloran, Oct. 25, opined the same about the Filipinos and their economic plight. The did nothing but cast a shadow of doubt about the Philippines and the hardworking citizens of this historical country. Obama responded immediately to the earthquake in Sämoa and tsunami in Indonesia, and forgot to mention the Philippines storms despite having received President Arroyo in the White House days before the calamities.

Mr. Halloran described the Philippines as hopeless and soon to become another Iran or Afghanistan. Other developing countries are no different. Please, Mr. Halloran, speak for the common Filipinos in my country who need help on an international scale. Write about the Filipinos in past and present generations anywhere they are who have assisted American businesses with their sturdy working hands and dollars in their hands.

Don't you think they deserve something in return, instead of being thrown in the gutter now?

luzviminda parco-kendrick | Ewa Beach

RECESSION

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, GAY MARRIAGE TO HELP

The state is in a great recession and our lawmakers are creatively paralyzed in finding real solutions to our economic malaise. Here are some suggestions for analysis and debate:

1. Legalize gay marriages. Besides being the correct moral thing to do, it would also generate tens of millions of dollars in new visitor spending.

2. Legalize marijuana. Beside the fact that most Americans favor making this drug legal, the legalization would generate new tax revenues for our coffers and free up law enforcement assets to fight real crime in our communities.

3. Legalize gaming. Besides creating many needed jobs, it would also generate needed tax revenues.

4. Increase the real estate taxes on absentee home owners. If you own a home, but don't live in it, you should pay more.

5. Have the U.S. government pay the state more for the added damage and stress the military causes to our infrastructure, roads and security systems.

I can already hear responses from legislators: No, no way, not on my watch, insane, ain't going to happen. Their brilliant answer is the four-day work week; four days for our kids, teachers and schools, and four days for government workers and offices plus increased taxes for all.

Our state is becoming a national and international joke. And we keep voting these geniuses back into office. We're in deep kim chee and nobody smells the rot.

chuck cohen | Honolulu

STATE BUDGET

CONSIDER GET, RAINY DAY, HURRICANE FUNDS

To soften the impact of the economic crisis, courage and creativity are needed from the Legislature and the governor.

Unfortunately, neither is evident. Instead, they balance the budget on the backs of working men and women by layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts.

Tax increases are never popular, but now is the time for a modest increase in the GET. Even a 1 percent increase is not much. I'd be more than willing to pay that modest amount to help save jobs, livelihoods and homes.

Additionally, a portion of the "rainy-day fund" should be used. It's not just "raining," Gov. Lingle, it's pouring. Same goes for the Hurricane Relief Fund.

And finally, despite all that has been said about the state constitution forbidding defi-cit spending, Article VII, Section 5 allows for it "when the governor publicly declares the public health, safety or welfare is threatened." How much more threatened can the public welfare get?

Some combination of these four approaches would lessen the impact on us all. But, someone needs to step up and show some true leadership.

mei-ran perkins | Honolulu