Nepotism, cronyism
Nepotism, cronyism
What is wrong with the Democratic Party and the people of Hawaii?
First, we elect a “not-so-bright” (therefore, easily malleable) Mazie Hirono to the U.S. Senate. Then we appoint a man with no redeeming qualities, Brian Schatz, to the remaining crucial Senate seat.
It should be noted that soon after the 2010 election, Mr. Schatz’s twin brother (fortunately, not identical) and sister-in-law were “appointed” to senior positions in the state Department of Education. The tradition of nepotism and cronyism lives on!
Little wonder that it is said that people deserve the leaders they elect!
Pradeepta Chowdhury
Hilo
No guns for teachers
Regarding the issue of arming teachers with guns: It’s a terrible idea.
They would want extra money for shooting straight, and it would be impossible to get rid of the teachers with bad aim.
A. Yamamoto
Hilo
An ‘energy failure’
Yesterday, I received a “happy holidays” greeting from HELCO, telling me that once again I am an energy failure compared to my more efficient neighbors. I’ve received this message so many times that I’m starting to wonder if HELCO has a secret house set up somewhere to make everyone else look bad.
Perhaps this house is occupied by a young man in his 20s without any wife, kids, elderly parents or other dependents. Perhaps he eats all his meals out, does his laundry at a laundromat, and entertains himself at night by going out.
Perhaps this place is the reason HELCO needs more of our money, or maybe they need to finance bigger newsletters to insult their customers.
Pamela Hudson
Hilo
No term limits
Neil Herbert (Your Views, Tribune-Herald) is dead wrong about term limits, which solve no problems at all.
It takes time and experience to be an expert at government; after two terms, a legislator is just ready to make a difference. Term limits merely guarantee that lobbyists and bureaucrats will be the only people in and around government who really know what’s going on.
Our legislators are our voice in government, our representatives in more than name. If we arbitrarily replace them even when they’re doing a good job, we are robbing ourselves of their skills and experience. There are no such limits on the lobbyists and bureaucrats, who are not responsible to the people in any way.
Think about it! Is Hawaii County better off because Harry Kim, Aaron Chung, Curtis Tyler, and Pete Hoffmann (just to name a few) were forced out of office by term limits? I don’t believe so.
A wise political leader once said, “We already have term limits. They’re called elections.” If you don’t like the job your representative is doing, then work to replace him or her. Don’t just sit back and let term limits do your work for you.
Dan Lindsay
Hilo