Your Views for June 20

Jobs and economy

I would like to respond to the letter by Eric Weinert (“Break the cycle”) in your June 15 edition.

Your letter offered the good advice to “think through” what we hear from the media and politicians before we make decisions as to whom we think offers the best ideas for Hawaii’s future. I decided to take that advice by first thinking through the statements you made in your June 15 letter to the editor.

I have never heard anyone (even a politician) claim that, as you put it, an economy “can grow at a constant rate forever.” Economies are in a constant state of flux, and since an economy involves the use and distribution of scarce resources (scarce means everyone cannot have everything they want at the same time), that has been the case in every economy throughout history.

It is the extremes (whether high or low) that cause concern and bring about a need for change. The argument usually centers around the means and type of change needed. I believe that is what is being discussed amongst politicians and the electorate at this time, as well it should be.

You bemoan spending on infrastructure as today’s growth is financed by tomorrow’s taxpayer, but since the recent taxpayers of Hawaii have made substantially more contributions (1990-2010 tax receipts) than past taxpayers, they should have some say as to how tax money is spent.

We all miss secluded, empty beaches and smaller communities. However, quality of life includes schools (which, contrary to your opinion, improved 10.13 percent in reading proficiency and 24.71 percent in math proficiency from 2005-2010; see Hawaii State Assessment tests), roads, county water and other amenities.

The people of Hawaii are concerned with jobs not because we are somehow brainwashed by the media and politicians, as you imply, but because we want to see our family, friends and neighbors back at work and improving the quality of their own lives.

Greg Slingluff

Kailua Kona