YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO GET INVOLVED NOW

I wholeheartedly concur with David Shapiro's Volcanic Ash commentary of Aug. 19. Hawai'i's cultural structure discourages fresh, young and creative leaders from getting involved in issues and politics. Worse yet, young voices and opinions are rarely sought by the old guard in power.

Hawai'i was once known as a leader in progressive government and society and a model for the nation in such things as mandatory health care, statewide land use zoning and the banning of outdoor advertising. What is Hawai'i known for now on the Mainland? Open bigotry and vitriol at the civil union hearings, homeless encampments throughout Waikiki and Wai'anae, mismanaging the Superferry through regulatory obfuscation, and foot-dragging on implementing modern transit solutions for our city, all met with hand-wringing by our atrophied cadre of elected officials.

Rather than wait until power is handed over, 20- to 30-somethings should work to replace the old guard, get involved at the local level and quit with the deference to small-minded politicians who least deserve it.

Jeff Merz | Waikiki

LIBERALS SEEM TO HAVE LOST TOLERANCE

Thanks to The Advertiser, we are still getting both sides of most issues despite the "dump" mentality of some of your readers (Pattye Wright, Letters, Aug. 18).

I could say the same thing about Leonard Pitts (Aug. 17) and most of his articles which do sometimes "deeply offend me." But as it has been in this country forever, I may not agree with your opinion but I will always defend your right to express it.

The liberals seem to have lost this concept. How sad! Guy Monahan and Elizabeth Lyons (Letters, Aug. 18) are a case in point. The Advertiser may not agree with their opinions but chose to print them rather than "dump" them.

B. J. Dyhr | Honolulu

UHERO MADE NO SUCH PROJECTION

In "Union view: State layoffs no solution" (Aug. 16), public union leaders wrote, "the UH Economic Research Organization projected that the financial impact of the governor's three-day-per-month furlough plan would be a loss of more than $200 million in state excise tax revenue."

In fact, UHERO has made no estimate of the tax impacts of the proposed furlough plan, and the reported $200 million drop in excise tax revenues is unrealistically large.

Carl Bonham | Department of Economics, UH-Manoa, executive director, UHERO

HOLD RIDERS TO A HIGHER STANDARD

As a motorcyclist with nearly 50 years experience on two wheels, I'm bothered by noisy motorcycles. But my bigger problem is with my smaller cousins on our streets: mopeds.

Most moped riders, and there must be thousands of them on O'ahu, generally follow rules of the road. But a highly visible group rides modified machines, noisily traveling at unsafe speeds on streets, putting themselves and others at risk. Some inconsiderate riders drive their scooters on sidewalks, travel contra to traffic flow, run red lights or commit unsafe, illegal acts to get where they want to go.

Regardless of these transgressions, to the benefit of our state/city operating budgets, I propose requiring mopeds to be fully licensed, inspected, plated and insured. Doing so puts greater responsibility on the throttle hands of these riders and makes them fiscally aware of the rules of the road they so often violate.

It is unfair to the rest of O'ahu motorists to allow mopeds on streets without insurance and paying their share of fees the rest of us pay. Our elected officials needn't worry about voter alienation, since I expect few of these lawbreakers are old enough, are aware enough, or bother to vote.

John Wray | Honolulu

FAIRNESS DOCTRINE SHOULD BE RESTORED

President Obama's upset with media. What's he expect? Media makes its money from advertising to businesses, such as insurance companies. They use the radio and television views of Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Medved, Glenn Beck and their wannabes. They rant and rave with a blend of misinformation and lies about health care reform without contradiction.

Why? Obama's health care reform, while improving health care coverage for many Americans, will result in the insurance companies, that have a lock on the business, losing billions in excessive profits.

Back in the day (before Reagan eliminated the Fairness Doctrine ), if an O'Reilly or Limbaugh promoted falsehoods about any proposed health care program, a voice of reason and honesty would provide the facts on the air so the public could hear and see both sides and decide where the truth is.

Mostly, now it's distortions, backed by on-air interviews with supporters of the insurance industry, acting as disgruntled voters, and no voices from the opposition. Obama needs to restore the Fairness Doctrine.

Stephen Burns | Mililani

FINE MUSICIANS DESERVE JUST REWARD

Returning from an extended trip, my wife and I recently learned that the Honolulu Symphony musicians are still owed for more than 13 weeks of pay from the 2008-2009 season. And in the mail we received the program for the 2009-2010 season. Guest artist Renée Fleming remarked that we have a fine orchestra, and she has worked with the best in the world. Let's reward our fine musicians as they deserve.

Grant E. Smart | Honolulu