VOTERS DON'T NEED ANOTHER D.C. SHEEP

Let's see now.

We have a tone-deaf executive branch, which continues to spend our children's future; then there's the U.S. Senators, who have used bribes to get votes and are now swimming in scandals.

Massachusetts sent a strong message with the election of Scott Brown, so the Senate decides on reconciliation for a health care bill America doesn't want, just to skate around the normal process, moving our country closer to the edge of disaster.

Finally, we have the U.S. House members, who seem to be willing sheep following their shepherd off the cliff of an economic abyss.

Now we have three choices to fill Neil Abercrombie's seat. From the debate it's clear, two are perfectly willing to joint the sheep on the cliff in Washington and one, Charles Djou, is not.

It seems to me the choice is clear — for the sake of our children, let's elect someone who is willing to walk away from the cliff and bring some sanity back to Washington.

Syndi Lou | Honolulu

SPEEDING

HAWAI'I IS SOFT ON TRAFFIC VIOLATORS

The Supremes have come up a with a decision worthy of a Rod Tam.

Speeding is not rocket science and neither should be its measurement. If indeed we had an exquisite, unequivocally calibrated speedometer or radar gun and a speeder is clocked at 69 mph are we to assume from that decision that he would not be subject to the excessive speeding fine?

Surely the prime basis for the higher fine is not simply for punishment but to dissuade speeding. The state of Hawai'i is weak-kneed in its treatment of traffic violations, particulary speeders and DUI offenders.

HOMELESS

30-YEAR VISITORS SAY THEY WILL NOT RETURN

For the first time in almost 30 years, we will not returning to Hawai'i for the 2010/11 holiday season — because of your homeless situation. We hope your editorial ("Taking back Honolulu," March 8), results in some action and we can return for 2011/12 season.

In January 2009, I wrote your politicians/community and business leaders regarding the problem. I wrote basically the same letter again this past January — Councilman Djou was the lone reply. The only thing that changed in one year was that the problem was much worse this past season.

We have many friends who also have been going for several years. Some did not return this past year, and even more will join us this coming season. And how many others will pick another destination? We are among the thousands who spend thousands to support your economy. Has anyone considered the economic consequences and ramifications of this?

The business projections/forecasts are bleak, but most do not address that tourism is down, or why. Does anyone even care? The worldwide bad economy cannot be blamed for all your woes.

Now come on, folks — the major hotels have locked their public restrooms and removed furniture — isn't that the last straw? We truly do wish you good luck and hope for the best.

Michael Jon font William J. McCrory | Citrus Heights, Calif.

SPECIAL ELECTION

EARLY RESIGNATION SHOULDN'T BE FREE

Here's a thought. If someone holding elective office resigns during their term to seek another office, they should have to pay for all special election costs incurred to replace them. If you terminate a rental lease early, you have to pay. Consumers are held to all sorts of early-out clauses in contracts. Why should it be different for a politician?

A special election not only is costly, but is an inconvenience to the voters. Is Mr. Abercrombie going to compensate me for the 30 minutes it takes me to interrupt my day to have to vote again, because he has now changed his mind? The only exception, of course, would be if an incumbent died in office.

So Mr. Abercrombie, instead of switching your coffers from one office to your campaign for governor, how about cutting a check to the state of Hawai'i for $1 million to cover the special election?

Lane Woodall | Honolulu

A SAD HAIKU

TREE DESTRUCTION INSPIRATION FOR POEM

On my morning walk

Weeping for the milo trees

All cut up below

Martha German | Kahalu 'u

ROD TAM

WE SHOULD NOT BERUSHING TO JUDGMENT

I have known Rod Tam for nearly all my life and have followed his political career since the early 1980s. I think that those who have known Tam would agree he is a honest, grassroots politician.

I fear that many residents of O'ahu will rush to judge his actions based on excerpts from an 18-page report.

Before passing judgment and throwing out criticism, we should have a look at other council members and their spending and also consider the coincidental timing of these accusations. If Tam's alleged misuse of funds has been occurring for more than three years, why is it an issue only now?

Another way to look at this is that Tam is a victim of a politically motivated attack based on a poorly defined policy on discretionary spending.

So before we pass judgment on this career politician and family man, we should all take a step back, remember what he's done for the community and give things a chance to play out.

HEALTH CARE

KEEP GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT LESS

Kudos to Cliff Slater for making the case for more personal involvement and less government involvement in our health ("Health care proposals that will work," March 9).

And self-inflicted cooties to those who care more about keeping the public ignorant of market alternatives and captive to protected and monopolistic health care than about actually removing the legal blood clots that have diseased the system.

Common sense and experience demonstrates, as with most things of value in life, when individuals exercise efforts to attain a better life and better health, rather than fall for the quick fix and false promises of political snake oil, they will more likely reach their goals.

'HAVES' DON'T CARE ABOUT 'HAVE-NOTS'

Tell it like it is.

The people who do not want universal health care are the people who have health care.

They say to those who do not: "Eh — go die. I got mine."