TMT worries pale compared
to debt concerns
Recently there have been several letters to the editor regarding China and the TMT saying that the TMT should not be built here because the fear of Chinese. The TMT may be the least of your worries. With the recent agriculture tariffs, many small farms have gone bankrupt. Many times, when these farms go bankrupt, it is not some good American taking it over, it is foreign countries such as China and Saudi Arabia. Slowly they are taking over more and more American lands to produce for their own countries.
Also, the national debt is at a record high. What most people do not realize is that other countries have loaned the United States money and now have a large stake in the United States. Two of the largest lenders are China and Japan. There are over a dozen foreign countries that own the US debt, even countries like Iraq, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands, and Luxembourg. Of course, there are the big players such as United Kingdom, Germany and France to name a few. There are a lot of bigger things to worry about than the TMT!
Vicky Halquist
Kailua-Kona
Money studies don’t account
for personal budget
In the business section of Monday’s paper, Tom Yamachika reports on a study appearing on the financial website, howmuch.net, estimating that it takes $91,100 annual income “to enjoy a comfortable life” in Hawaii.
I think this is a ridiculous figure. Typically, with studies of large groups of people, the results are not valid for individuals.
For example, the figure used for expenditures that underlies the howmuch.net study comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which used “average annual consumer expenditures” from the entire country. No doubt my individual expenditures fall considerably under the “average consumer’s.”
As a retired person in Hawaii, I live comfortably on well less than $91,100. Anyone considering living in Hawaii, in a retired or working status, should calculate their spending habits and living needs carefully in order to arrive at a valid idea of what it might take for them to live here “comfortably.” That’s better than relying on sociological-type financial studies that tell you nothing about your individual life.
Mike Keller
Kailua-Kona
Gram by gram progress
They say be thankful for small favors but decriminalizing three grams of cannabis (10 times less than an ounce or the equivalent of one joint) borders on the preposterous (Hawaii Tribune Herald and West Hawaii Today, Dec. 23). And, even more insanity, the fine for getting caught is only $130.
California decriminalized an ounce back in the late ’70s. How far behind the times can we get? Maybe about 40 years?
Nevertheless, mahalo nui loa Rep. Richard Creagan for getting the ball rolling. At this rate, possibly in 10 years, we’ll be able to decriminalize six grams and lower the fine to $100. We’ll really be flying then.
Andrea Tischler
Hilo
