• Obama the idealist • Is the ‘Wilcox’ on your list of vacation resorts? • Words of wisdom • Write-in candidates • Honoring our heroes Obama the idealist Considering the events unfolding since the election, some thoughts came to mind.
• Obama the idealist • Is the ‘Wilcox’ on your list of vacation
resorts? • Words of wisdom • Write-in candidates • Honoring our
heroes
Obama the idealist
Considering the events unfolding since the election, some thoughts came to mind.
If there is one major flaw in his presidency, it seems to be the early failure to achieve a balance of priorities. Obama came into office with the intent of delivering on campaign promises.
What he failed to realize was the priority of the problems facing our nation. While health care for everyone, reducing global pollution among his other goals were laudable, what was failed to be grasped (or willingly engaged) was the financial situation our nation faced. What should have been of greatest importance was bringing our nation back to fiscal soundness.
An all-out effort should have been made to reduce spending and perhaps increase taxes (in an equitable way) to begin the process of backing out of our debt dilemma. As families, we would never think of embarking on new spending when our bank accounts are overdrawn. Neither should a responsible government.
I realize the financial meltdown had to be dealt with but where was the immediate need to spend more? The great amount of money spent to increase employment has, thus far, not really been that helpful. We should have honored our ongoing commitments (Iraq and Afghanistan) but taken on nothing new until the ship was righted.
Carlos White, Princeville
Is the ‘Wilcox’ on your list of vacation resorts?
During a recent visit with my family to visit friends in Kaua‘i, I unexpectedly became seriously ill and was rushed by ambulance to Wilcox Memorial Hospital where I spent the better part of three days being cared for.
Although the “Wilcox” was not on my vacation itinerary, I must report that I was extremely pleased by the Garden Island’s excellent medical facility. Having spent more time that I want to in other hospitals, I was impressed with not only the excellent medical care I received but also by the friendly and helpful staff who made me and my family so comfortable as only an aloha spirit can exhibit.
Although I have not made return reservations at the Wilcox for our next visit, I do take comfort in knowing that should something happen to me or my family, we will be in good hands. Kaua‘i should be proud of this excellent medical facility.
John Kendrick, Irvine, Calif.
Words of wisdom
As you all know it’s that time where we are about to elect new people into office who are going to dictate our lives. To all those running and those who are already in office, I hope these words can open your eyes to my reality.
For a long time now I worked really hard to establish a career. When It was about that time to harvest the fruits of my labor, I chose to walk away and start over, to find another way that wouldn’t sell out my homeland — 20 years of building was done in five years in the name of greed and civil rights.
If this way of life doesn’t change, there isn’t going to be anything left to call home. There isn’t enough water, food or jobs to sustain the people we have on island as is.
Yet “office” is pushing to build more, to invite more people to move here. Why? Because there is so much money to be made with permits and the selling of land that honestly isn’t yours to sell.
The argument is that it brings so much money into the economy. True, but for who? The select few in the “union,” the developers. How is it just that they get to live lavishly and buy whatever they want or should I say “put money back into the economy” while everyone else suffers?
James Langtad, Kapa‘a
Write-in candidates
Hawai‘i does not allow for write-in candidates on any political position.
Many states have a provision to write in a candidate whose name does not appear on the ballot, but for whom voters may vote for anyway.
Write-in candidates rarely win, and votes are often cast for ineligible people or fictional characters, such as Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck.
However, in a democracy where all men and women are supposedly equated equal, there is no reason to not allow for the freedom of democracy by changing the ballot to allow for write-in candidates.
I would like to write in the names of the few people I know who care about the health, well-being and future of our cosmic island and seem to have more passion than most of the politicians currently running.
Please encourage the department of elections to allow for write-in candidates, it is our right as Americans. In the rare instances a write in candidate wins, it’s as sweet as politics gets.
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a
Honoring our heroes
I was glad to see the column on Honoring Military Heroes. We can’t do enough to show our appreciation and gratitude to those that have fought for all the freedoms we enjoy. Keep it up!
Sarah Rogers, Kapa‘a
