Letters for Sunday, April 12, 2009

• Troops find spirit of aloha

• Don’t increase taxes

• I love Obama … the dog

Troops find spirit of aloha

The 4th Infantry division was returning home from Iraq to Fort Hood, Texas last week, after a 12-month deployment. My son, local Kaua‘i boy, 1LT Sean Supon, was among them.

During this 12-month deployment, the 4th Infantry Division base had been transferred from Fort Hood to Fort Carson, Colo. Many families had already moved to Fort Carson.

With the harsh winter condition on the Mainland, some of those families could not make it to Fort Hood to greet their loved ones. About 80 of the 315 fine young soldiers arrived in Texas with just the clothes on their backs and no one to meet them.

The rear detachment for the 4ID was attempting to make gift baskets for these soldiers that would include simple necessities to get these soldiers through the first few days. I made a few calls and the spirit of Kaua‘i took it from there.

The donations from Kaua‘i were overwhelming. Over 25 large boxes of shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, lotion, soap, pillowcases, T-shirts, candy leis and assorted island treats like Kaua‘i Kookies were donated and shipped to Texas.

There they were able to make up 80 gift baskets, enough for every soldier that needed one. No one was left out. The spirit of aloha runs high here on Kaua‘i and I have never been so proud to be a part of it.

A special thanks to all the contributors: Hyatt Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, Waiohai Hotel, Outrigger Kiahuna, Marriott Hotel, Kaua‘i Board of Realtors, Dr. Black, Wal-Mart, Kaua‘i Kookie, Kaua‘i Harley Davidson, Al and Cathy Stiglmeier, Eric and Kerry Linthicums, Duke’s Restaurant in the Marriott, Keoki’s Restaurant in Po‘ipu, Leilani’s Restaurant on Maui, Boss Frogs in Po‘ipu, King Auto Assets Hawai‘i, and Pacific Ocean Properties.

The soldiers all said to say thank you so much and so do I. Mahalo nui loa.

Becky Supon, Koloa

Don’t increase taxes

Increasing income taxes from the wealthy: What a great idea! I wonder where our state house of representatives got that idea. (“Democrats propose hiking wealthy income tax,” The Garden Island, April 4)

But that’s only on the wealthy, right? The rich people that make over $150,000 per year, right?

Have you ever wondered where those wealthy people get that $150,000, and more? I mean, where does all that money come from? Do you think they work for Costco, or Home Depot, or Wal-Mart? Maybe they work at one of our beautiful hotels on the islands? I doubt it.

Presidents and CEOs of large companies that manufacture products and supplies, or provide services that most of us need and must purchase have those high salaries.

So again I ask, where do those very high salaries come from?

If you haven’t already figured it out, that’s right folks, it comes from us. The consumers of the products that their corporations manufacture, and the users of those services that their corporations provide.

So when those high-paid presidents and CEOs have to pay more taxes, they don’t consider netting a smaller income, so they simply increase the price of the product or service that they manufacture or provide.

The article also states that “…those in lower tax brackets could get a tax cut and the state would still get more money.”

With or without a tax cut for lower income brackets, the state will certainly get more money. The presidents and CEOs will pay higher taxes; which will come from the consumers in the way of higher prices for products and services. Those higher prices will be subject to the 4 percent general excise tax, which also generates more revenue for the state.

Just what we need. More money for the state, county and federal governments to waste.

In closing, I will once again state my opinion that the answer to our economic problem is not increasing taxes for anyone. That obviously does not work. Isn’t that what has been tried over and over again? Have we not learned from our mistakes?

The only solution that could possibly resolve this economic chaos is to reduce government spending by reducing the waste and operating our government agencies in a much more efficient and responsible manner.

Larry Arruda, Lihu‘e

I love Obama … the dog

This past year I made many trips to the Kaua‘i Humane Society hoping to find my new “BFF” (Best Friend forever).

Last month something remarkable happened on my visit to look for a four-legged companion. A half Chihuahua-terrier mix decided to adopt me. There were numerous people and distractions, but this little puppy kept coming towards me and giving me those loving puppy eyes.

I feel blessed that one decided to adopt me, even though I had garlic breath, gas and had not showered, she still enjoyed my company. She could not resist.

Mahalo nui loa to the Kaua‘i Humane Society for letting this creature I named “Obama” adopt me.

 James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a