Talk and vote
Core American values are at stake in this coming election.
The Republican Party has become anything but “conservative,” because it is threatening to scrap central features of our way of life.
Republican leaders are publicly threatening (1) the democratic right to have our votes counted in fair elections; the continuation of (2) Medicare; (3) Social Security; (4) abortion rights; and (5) measures to stop climate change.
Yes, these are all on the Republican Party’s chopping block. With these important values at stake, the November elections should be a Democratic Party landslide. Trouble is, there’s big money working against Americans waking up in time. Polls show that the corporate and billionaire-controlled media “spin” has succeeded in diverting the public’s political understanding, perceptions and likely votes.
Will we protect America from these radical changes? I am deeply worried. Talk politics. Vote.
Noelie Rodriguez
Ninole
Too much spending
Seeing Sen. Brian Schatz’s TV ads makes me think about the fools and cheats in the Democratic Party. He votes for the trillions of dollars spending bills, and then brags about how much funding he brings in to Hawaii, which is a minuscule amount that is a negative amount considering the taxes we’ll be paying in future years. It’s like borrowing $1,000 at 20% interest for 10 years to buy a $1,000 item at a 10% discount now, and saying he saved $100. Borrow a $1,000, spend $900, where the $100 difference goes is not known, but we still end up paying for the $1,000 loan at 20% interest.
I’ll write in Tulsi Gabbard to replace Schatz.
James Igawa
Keaau
Finish the road
In Keaukaha, there has been roadwork going on for a very long time. This concerns me because the traffic has been bad over the years on Kalanianaole Street.
I connect with this, because I live in Keaukaha and drive in and out. I feel that the government should fix Kalanianaole before starting more construction in Keaukaha. For example, the parking lot at Richardson Ocean Park. Both Kalanianaole and Richardson’s beach are under construction, so now it’s harder for the government to work on both rather than finishing one first before starting the other.
Kalanianaole has been in construction for five-plus years. Most people and I want the government to focus more on Kalanianaole than other construction in Keaukaha.
People who live in Keaukaha deal with the traffic every single day. There are also people who don’t live in Keaukaha that come in and out, which causes more traffic. The people of Keaukaha want Kalanianaole fixed immediately because of how much traffic there is every day. We are tired of how long this has been going on and want it to be done.
Kalanianaole needs to get out of construction now! This issue matters because Kalanianaole has been in construction for way too long. Most people and I are irritated or aggravated about this. It’s about time the government focuses more on Kalanianaole roadwork and complete it as soon as possible!
Kerstin Lee Verece
Hilo High School student
Praise for students
I have very much enjoyed reading the various letters from the Hilo High School students (Your Views, Tribune-Herald).
Obviously, this is some sort of class project, but asking these students to write about issues they find important is a great lesson in civics and community engagement.
Kudos to the teacher(s) who assigned this task, and mahalo to all the students for sharing their thoughts.
A. Yamamoto
Hilo