Mission accomplished?
Mission accomplished?
Finally, President Donald Trump has fulfilled at least one campaign promise: “Make America GrHATE again.”
Prentiss Moreno
Hilo
No bailout for rail
On Sunday, Aug. 13, the Tribune-Herald published a political cartoon suggesting that a corrupt and incompetent clique of Oahu-based political hacks might attempt to bamboozle the neighbor islands’ residents to partially pay for that Oahu monstrosity known as the “rail project.”
Through time by four or five years, and over budget by about $5 billion, Honolulu taxpayers are looking for a bailout.
Oahu already extended the rail tax surcharge by 10 years. This half-percent raise is added to Oahu’s general excise tax.
With Honolulu’s social progressive elites wanting something for next to nothing, if they can’t make the tourists pay for the rail project with higher room taxes, then Honolulu and state politicians will attempt to force higher taxes on the neighbor islands to pay for Honolulu’s stupidity.
I hope the Big Island’s elected officials will stand up to Honolulu and say “no.” To Oahu: The rail project is your project, your problem.
However, I fear that our politicians who have visions of higher office will capitulate to the “big boys and girls” at the state Legislature in order to be able to hobnob with the rich and famous on Oahu at some point in the future.
Sadly, “when buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators.” This is from P.J. O’Rourke, American journalist and author.
O’Rourke is absolutely correct about Hawaii’s elected officials.
“Just say no” to Honolulu!
Arthur Warren
Keaau