Support TMT
Support TMT
I think the Thirty Meter Telescope is a wonderful opportunity for Hawaii to continue to be the place where tremendous advances in our understanding of the universe will take place, with great benefits to the entire world.
I think it would be tragic if the anti-progressive protesters were to succeed in preventing the project from going forward. Nevertheless, the TMT will be built, here or somewhere else, and the world will gain the benefits anyway. And besides, I’m 75 years old, so why should I care?
Mainly, I care because of the young people of Hawaii — the next generation who will inherit this world the way we leave it.
I’m optimistic because of the courageous Hawaiians who are standing up to voice their support in the face of what must be awful pressure. I have so much admiration for Richard Ha and the others who have spoken out, especially Mailani Neal, the courageous young Hawaiian woman who started the pro-TMT petition at www.gopetition.com (which at the time of this writing has gathered more than 5,300 signatures).
The protesters have been very vocal and emphatic about the things they believe in. There’s nothing wrong with that. Under a democratic system, no minority of believers in any religion, no matter how fervently they believe they are right, can dictate matters of public policy on behalf of the majority. That’s one of the things I believe in.
Jesse Crawford
Hilo
Fix tax system
Instead of continuing to tweak the state’s tax system (House Bill 886), why not make some constructive changes for a change? Want taxes to be fair? How about this?
NO income tax on everything earned below the poverty level (say, $30,000) and a revenue-neutral flat tax for everything earned above the poverty level. No deductions. The only exemption would be for retirees, who would continue to skate on paying no (state) income tax on retirement income.
Advantages: (1) Get the politics out of the tax system; (2) everyone pays their share, no mater what their “status” or ability to hire tax lawyers/accountants; (3) simple tax form; (4) easier for State Budget Office to predict tax revenue. (No doubt you can add to the list.)
And on a related note, how about eliminating the tax on food, medicine and inheritance? The revenue-neutral income tax percentage could accommodate this loss of tax income by the state.
Of course, the ultimate goal should be to lower the flat income tax percentage with time, which would probably require, among other things, the downsizing of government — but you got to start somewhere!
Bottom line: Do any politicians have the (fortitude) to actually help the people, or will they continue to help themselves?
Fred Fogel
Volcano