PUBLIC SHOULD DRAW LINE AT VIOLENCE

There is something disturbing about unprovoked attacks on our police being bludgeoned for performing their duties, off-duty or not.

First a beating of an officer in Makaha, then in Maui by baseball bat-wielding thugs. Witness also the recent four police deaths in Oakland, followed by three policemen shot to death on the East Coast. Unrelated? Absolutely not. Our Hawai'i officers would have surely been murdered as quickly if their attackers had guns.

It shows a continuing contempt for the lives of the very thin blue line that separates and protects the rest of us from the barbarians that follow the rule of tooth and fang. There is an old saw that says all that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. It is time the good people of Hawai'i stand up and draw the line, which no one is allowed to cross without great consequence. For if we tolerate this evil, we do so at our peril.

BUDGET, EDUCATION

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEED ALL HELP THEY CAN GET

I take offense to Lionel Aguiar's letter to the editor (April 7) when he says he should get a tax break since his children do not attend public school because he chooses to send them to private school. He apparently doesn't want to pay for something he doesn't use.

Well, how about people who don't have any children, should they also get a tax break since they are not using the public schools either?

How about if you don't drive, should you get a tax break if you don't use the roads?

Most of the teachers in the public school system work extremely hard and are doing the best job they can regardless of their salary and other financial constraints. They don't take the job to get rich. In my opinion they are doing an excellent job and Mr. Aguiar's idea of getting a tax break would further cripple a public institution that needs all the help it can get.

DOE

PUBLIC INVITED TO WEIGH IN ON CHANGES

Howe Stidger (Letters, April 10) says Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto is "attempting to steal the people's right to fair representation" and wants "to reset (lunch and bus) prices drastically upward," hurting working-class families. These allegations are simply not true.

The Department of Education has proposed several administrative rule amendments to improve student support services and safety and to efficiently address changes in the marketplace.

During the month of April, the Board of Education is holding a series of public hearings on various proposed amendments covering school meals, bus transportation, school consolidation and locker searches, to name a few. Board members will meet in May to finalize their decisions; approved amendments will then be sent to the governor for her signature.

The amendments, if passed, will greatly assist the DOE in reducing lengthy bureaucratic procedures mandated under current Hawai'i Administrative Rules.

Down the line, any recommendations introduced by the superintendent to raise prices or close schools would still require final board approval.

We strongly encourage students, parents, and the community to attend the scheduled hearings. The public may view the proposals, hearing dates, and submit testimony at www.boe.k12.hi.us.

REEF DAMAGE

NAVY SHOULD BE HELD ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE

I salute the Department of Land and Natural Resources' efforts to enforce laws pertaining to the destruction of coral reefs.

I'm concerned that if the Navy does not finish cleaning up the coral reef destroyed by Port Royal's grounding before our summer south swells arrive, the loose rubble and boulders will be tossed around and further damage the coral. DLNR encouraged the Navy to resume cleanup efforts before the costs associated with Port Royal's grounding increase.

The Navy should pay for all costs associated with Port Royal's grounding, including investigation (scuba research, boat time), cleanup (removal of rubble and destroyed coral and the stabilization of loose live coral), and loss of precious natural resources (the area was one of the finest remaining reef habitats on O'ahu). Just like other offenders of the law, the U.S. Navy should be held completely responsible for the consequences of their actions.

RAISING TAXES

STATE WORKERS SHOULD BE ONES TO TAKE CUTS

In response to a letter (April 6), about raising the general excise tax as suggested by the state employee taxpayer: First of all, every business owner and independent contractor must pay the 4.5 percent-plus GET on their gross income whether they make money or lose money, before federal, state, and Social Security taxes are taken out.

On top of that we must pay 100 percent of our medical every month. This isn't a sales tax.

If each state worker had to pay this GET off their gross income, pay their own medical premiums etc., we would not be in this predicament of looking for money for the government shortfall and no one would be worried about losing a job or taking a pay cut.

Raising the GET would affect tens of thousands of people in Hawai'i and possibly put more businesses in bankruptcy.

TAXING

POLITICIANS' APPROACH LINKED TO UNIONS

The Hawai'i state Legislature is considering taxing Internet commerce. This is just another example of state politicians addressing the wrong end of the problem. In the private sector, management and labor would have to consider a combination of factors to deal with hard times. They might consider layoffs, reduction in hours, pay cuts, termination of matching 401(k) contributions, termination of defined benefit pension plans and reduction or elimination of healthcare benefits.

Your government looks at things a bit differently. They look at the other side of the equation and desperately search for ways to raise revenue through taxes and fees. So, why are your politicians so intent on putting more of a burden on the residents of Hawai'i?

To answer that question we must look at labor organizations and the conditions under which their power is gained or lost. A monopoly or oligopoly conveys much more power to the unions than they would enjoy in a highly competitive market. Your government is a monopoly. Therefore, the public employee unions have enormous power.

In Hawai'i that power is further amplified due to low voter turnout and a high percentage of government workers, who tend to vote as a bloc. The result is that the public employees essentially put politicians in office. Thus, they are loath to adopt any cost-saving measures that they would have to defend in the next election.