SOME COUNTIES IN ISLES CAN DO IT RIGHT

Just returned from a four-day trip on the Big Island. We drove nearly 600 miles on the highways and byways and even the dirt roads there are smoother than the main roads of O'ahu. It goes to show that some counties can do it right, just not Honolulu.

Robert Malandra | Honolulu

HEALTH CARE

TIME FOR ACTION ON HEALTH CARE REFORM

We have waited so long for some kind of health care reform. As a senior, I have heard discussions for a long time. I want action.

The AARP points out that the reform will help improve Medicare by being more efficient. We need this. I also support the idea of closing the "doughnut hole" that causes so much extra expense in prescription drugs to seniors.

This reform will also help young people who may not have health insurance. Let's get this done!

Carole Iacovelli | Kailua

SENIORS AND OTHERS SHOULD BACK REFORMS

I am almost 84 years old and my fear is that the lies that are being circulated about health insurance reform will keep seniors from supporting the president's plan.

The media, in their attempt to be fair, have given the lies as much, if not more, coverage as the truth. Seniors as well as others need to emphasize that this reform will strengthen Medicare (a government program, by the way), will not cut Medicare benefits and will save money.

I am very happy with my present plan, but feel that it is essential that we protect citizens from the flaws and rising costs in the for-profit insurance industry and provide affordable coverage for all.

Joan Souza | Kane'ohe

ECONOMY

SUPPLY-SIDE POLICY IS WAY TO MAINTAIN

There is a direct correlation between federal fiscal policy and the state of states ("Panel forecasts deficit to widen," Aug. 28). As the hand of the government continues to become more invasive and taxes spiral upward, the overall economy is being choked to death and the trickle-down theory is more than prevalent.

It is a mystery to me why folks do not understand supply-side economics. A free-market economy is a living, breathing thing that requires sustenance in the form of the free flow of capital. Given this condition, revenues will rise as the economy will have a broader tax base with more economic activity. Raising taxes has exactly the opposite effect, restricting the flow of capital.

One need look no further than to the tax cuts under Harding/Coolidge in the '20s, those under JFK in the '60s, and the tax policy of the Reagan and Bush 41 administrations of the '80s to see that supply-side policy is the only way to maintain an economy rooted in free enterprise.

Steve Hinton | Waialua

WAIKIKI

ADDRESS HOMELESS, PANHANDLING NEXT

I read with some interest the letter commending Mayor Mufi Hannemann and his city team for their effort in "sprucing up" Kapi'olani Park Aug. 22. Perhaps now that it's done the mayor might be willing to attempt to tackle the harder job of addressing the homeless and aggressive panhandling that exists at the park.

There are five semipermanent tent setups immediately adjacent to the aquarium area. They have been there for at least the past 60 days since we have been visiting the island. In addition, in the past three days, we have been accosted by two different, very aggressive men, just west of the snack bar, requesting money and or food. In both instances we had to threaten them with calling police to get them to leave.

This park is one of the premier tourist destinations on O'ahu. I would hope that with the slowdown in visitors coming to Waikiki, the concern of the mayor would translate to a positive solution of this important issue.

William Volkman | Honolulu

BUDGET CUTS

HAWAI'I FILM OFFICE DESERVES TO BE SAVED

I'm 19, yet I've been involved with film for years. In June, I decided to volunteer as an intern at the Hawai'i Film Office. Manager Donne Dawson warned me that my experience might not be exciting — just paperwork and answering phones. Boy, was she wrong. Within weeks, the governor announced layoffs, including four of five positions at the film office — virtually wiping it out. DBEDT director Ted Liu has indicated he plans to continue the office's functions but couldn't support its "specialist" positions, believing the responsibilities could be divided and given to other general departments.

With two months of experience in this office, I can say definitively that just won't work. The film industry is fast and complex, and requires the specialized attention that this office provides. They have the knowledge and experience to deal with permit requests and tax incentive questions from one centralized location. Most of all, they've established reliable relationships within government and the industry, resulting in quick turnaround for productions and millions of dollars for our state economy.

Other departments don't have this institutional knowledge or the productive relationships that this five-person office so successfully utilizes to benefit our great state.

Paul Iona | 'Ewa Beach resident and former Advertiser Teen Editorial Board member