WE SHOULD BAN ADDITIVE FROM GAS

There is no better time to ban ethanol in all gasoline products sold in the state. I argued against this "green" additive before it became one of the most costly and misplaced laws two years ago, and now consumers feel even more wrath from the substandard fuel that government wants us to buy.

The problem is that without huge federal subsidies, ethanol would not even be a consideration for automobile fuel. It is a negative energy product, meaning it takes more energy to grow and refine ethanol than we get back. Adding this C-level fuel to gasoline not only immediately reduced the efficiency of our fuel, it also causes water-related engine damage and costs consumers an extra 12 cents per gallon in taxes.

There is nothing good to be gained from ethanol. We import 100 percent of it just like oil, and even with federal subsidies, no one wants to take a chance on producing it here locally.

Ethanol has become a tattered feather in the "greenies" cap because it sounds good, but if you really want to make a dent in reducing our carbon footprint, then focus on solar, wind and wave alternatives.

Kekoa Heflin | Kahala

FURLOUGHS

STATE WORKERS NEED TO SACRIFICE, TOO

The rally at the state Capitol June 30 told me one thing, that state workers and the union do not have the word sacrifice in their vocabulary. More like selfishness.

While the country's and state's economies go down the drain, while people lose their jobs, homes, even families, the state workers and unions have the audacity to claim hardship for a loss of three days per month. I am appalled and every taxpayer of this state should be at the actions of these selfish people.This is why this state is in the shape it is in: It is held hostage by the unions and their sheeple.

Whatever happened to let's pull together to get through this situation?

James Roller | Mililani

WE DON'T WANT TO END UP LIKE CALIFORNIA

I hope the governor, the legislative leadership and union leaders use the court's decision as a cooling-off period so they can sit down at the negotiating table.

Put aside egos, scoring political points, hardball negotiating tactics, and talk in earnest. Compromise, be bipartisan, and come to an agreement. Look at all reasonable and workable options — a one-day furlough a month, use the rainy day and the hurricane funds to lessen the budget deficit, a temporary excise tax increase (excluding food and drugs) of one to two years with an iron-clad sunset date, etc.

Look at California as the worst-case scenario — a $24 billion-plus budget deficit, no budget agreement by a gridlocked state Legislature, state issuing IOUs, state employee furloughs, California considering selling state properties (like Alcatraz island) to lessen the deficit.

The parties should look at California as what can happen when no one is willing to bend from too-rigid positions, or all sides in a negotiation refuse to give a little to come up with a budget all can live with.

Theodore Taba | Honolulu

HEALTH CARE

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS CAN HELP

As the health care crisis escalates and we urge new doctors to come to Hawai'i, there seems to be a natural solution that is being overlooked — naturopathic physicians.

These doctors graduate from medical schools that not only train their physicians in standard medical practices like pharmaceuticals and minor surgery, but also educate them in natural and preventative techniques like nutritional counseling and herbal medicine. While naturopathic doctors (N.D.s) are licensed as primary-care physicians in Hawai'i, they are limited in the ways that they can help you by antiquated laws.

Whether or not this trend continues is up to you. This week Gov. Linda Lingle listed SB 420 on her list of bills she intends to veto. Her objection statement shows a clear lack of understanding as to the education of these physicians. There are approximately 100 naturopathic physicians licensed in this state — can you imagine what expanding their abilities to treat would do for our health care? This bill would not give these doctors rights they have not earned. It would simply allow them to practice as they were trained to do.

Dr. Sarah Strong, N.D. | Hilo Natural Health Clinic

SWINE FLU

THERMAL SCANNERS EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGY

I'm getting very worried that Dr. Sarah Park, our state epidemiologist, is in over her head and doesn't know what she's doing. She's been saying that thermal scanners at airports are inaccurate.

If that's the case, how is it that South Korea invested in the technology and is actually catching cases from Hawai'i? Seems to me that this technology must be effective.

Someone in our state government should take the time and effort to talk to the health officials in South Korea and other Asian countries to learn what we need to do to better contain this virus. At this point, it seems Dr. Park and her cronies have just thrown in the towel and are just crossing their fingers that things don't get worse. Where's the leadership?

Kaleo Johnson | Honolulu