STATE HAS SAID TALKS COULD WRAP UP SOON

In his April 26 commentary ("We must share load in balancing budget"), Sen. Gary Hooser opined that Gov. Linda Lingle indicated "negotiations (with public employee unions) will not be concluded for several more months."

This is simply not true. The governor and budget director Georgina Kawamura have shared with legislators and county mayors that negotiations with two of the four unions could wrap up soon.

Hooser is unnecessarily complicating and potentially jeopardizing negotiations by giving labor the misguided impression they can avoid reductions to help address a budget shortfall of unprecedented proportion. His effort to cozy up to union leadership is especially suspect in light of his announced plans to run for a statewide office in 2010.

If he can get the public to believe the Legislature is unable to incorporate savings from labor negotiations into their budget, he must hope he and other Democrat legislators won't look as bad for raising taxes that will hurt our economy and kill job creation.

Gov. Lingle has great respect for Hawai'i's public workers. This is why she has offered wage increases when times were good and why the governor's current budget recommendations include no layoffs.

Unfortunately, negotiations are compromised when legislators like Hooser stand on the sidelines and make patently false statements.

TAX SYSTEM

NATIONAL SALES TAX WOULD REWARD RICH

In rebuttal to Ralph Foulger's letter (April 23) claiming that a national sales tax would put us "all on par," such a tax would do nothing but reward the rich and punish the rest of us. We all have to eat and pay the bills.

The difference is that rich people spend far less a proportion of their income on such things compared to the middle class and poor. For example, under Foulger's proposal someone making $2 million who only spends $200,000 will pocket the rest tax-free. Meanwhile, someone making only $35,000 who spends it all on basic necessities would be taxed on the entire amount. Our progressive system of income taxation is fine as it is, though it could be improved by raising taxes on those who have most of the money and thus can pay for it.

BISHOP MUSEUM

WILL INDIFFERENCE BE DEMISE? PLEASE HELP

The stone walls of Bishop Museum's original buildings stand strong. Those walls and the institution survived a revolution, two world wars, cholera and bubonic plague. They survived three forms of government and redirection by successive directors.

What the museum can not survive is indifference by the public. Everyone wants to be a consumer of information, access to collections, exhibits, library hours, and such. No one wants to be a customer. Everything should be free.

You don't need to be rich to help. Become a member of the Bishop Museum Association. Think first of the Shop Pacifica or Bishop Museum Press when you need a gift (free parking).

The staff will put their heads down and push forward protecting the collections and providing service. They will do this because, like the stone walls, they are strong. They will do this because they are dedicated to the mission. Show that you are strong. Do something to help.

CITY REVENUES

FINE BULKY-TRASH PICKUP SCOFFLAWS

There is an obvious way for the city to raise funds — fine those residents who refuse to abide by the timetable set out by the city for bulky-item pickup. Scheduled pickup for Haha'ione Valley in Hawai'i Kai was Wednesday, April 22, and was completed in this area on Friday, April 24. Two days later, on Sunday, April 26, eight residents of Haha'ione Street had placed more trash in front of their homes. This morning, with more than 3 1/2 weeks before the next bulky-item pickup, I counted 13 piles of trash along Haha'ione Street. Shame on those residents who trash our streets — no respect for the 'aina! I say fine them to the max, and clean up our streets!

EDUCATION FUNDS

DON'T DEPRIVE YOUTH OF TOOLS FOR SUCCESS

Although Gov. Lingle has the power to use the economic stimulus money as she sees fit, the money that was designated to be used for education should not be diverted.

The money was so designated to help the state cope with what the federal government realized would be shortfalls in state revenue needed for education.

So, diverting the money may not be legally criminal but it would certainly be morally corrupt. Sacrificing educational benefits for our children would be self-destructive for the youth of Hawai'i and for the building of a more intelligent and productive citizenry.

Our government is charged not only with making and enforcing laws but also with assuring the active progression of our communities.

A democracy is served best with an educated citizenry. Do not deprive our youth of the tools to be successful citizens.

ECONOMIC CRUNCH

ALOHA SPIRIT, WHERE HAVE YOU GONE?

There is nothing like the aloha spirit when it's crunch time. The country and our state are hurting and we all need to get together and help each other pull through. Right? Apparently not. Let's review: First of all, both the Congress and our Legislature have decided to "tax the rich."

Then to assist employment in the auto industry, the United Auto Workers union won't give an inch on wages, as it is seemingly better to let the whole industry go down rather than everyone working together for maybe a little less.

Here locally our Legislature says to hit the tourists (who aren't coming in droves) with higher room taxes. Now there's a first-rate enticement! And taking a lead from the Mainland, our local public workers unions won't give up a dime, so jobs will have to be cut rather than all sharing a small part of the burden, but staying employed. Auwe!