Were they thinking?
There are times when I truly wonder what kind of thinking is involved with our government representatives, and indeed whether there is any thinking happening at all in some cases.
Lately, on the Big Island we have been having a crisis with garbage collection. The blame is either on the public for not sorting their garbage properly or on employees for taking their earned time off creating shortages at the transfer stations requiring them to be shut down. So, what is their brilliant solution’s? Stop recycling plastics and send them to the landfills that are being closed down because they are filling up? Seems to solve the problem, right?
Then for short-staffing and temporary closing transfer station’s what do they do? Shorten the hours and limit the amount of garbage that people can bring in per day. Brilliant solution they think. There is only one problem. The same amount of garbage is accumulating daily. People if limited on the amounts or time that they can drop off at a dump site or transfer station will still have garbage to eliminate. Think that they are just going to hold on to it until the next day? Think again. People also have limited time so if they can’t get rid of all of their garbage when they have the time to do so will find another place to get rid of it. This will only make illegal dumping get worse than it already is.
Rather than finding a real solution, all this type of thinking does is create or make worse yet another problem. Perhaps it is our fault. After all, we elected these people to office. Maybe we need to rethink our choices in the coming elections.
John Pierce
Waikoloa
Politicians and Letters
The issues in your Feb. 5 issue were enlightening as to the intelligence of local and state politicians. As well as the that of local readers.
Front Page: Smoking in Crosshairs – wanting to raise the smoking age to 25/ People are allowed to vote, drive and go to battle by 18 years of age. Maybe we should move the voting age to 25. Then, “Lawmakers aim to address gun violence.” The word aim is typical of reporting headlines. Can someone please explain why these “lawmakers” do not understand the 2nd Amendment. Previously, these same lawmakers are wanting to consider red-light cameras at traffic lights. Again, these lawmakers are not doing much research, as several major states and locals have deemed such cameras unlawful and removed them.
It is worth the 75 cents daily to read the letters section.
In the issue mentioned above there was “Trial with no witnesses is a criminal’s dream” and ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ in real life.” Then in the next day’s issue was a lengthy “Trump is a tyrant.”
These people are obviously about as educated as the representatives and senators from Hawaii when it comes to civics and understanding of the U.S. Constitution. There is a big difference on how an impeachment trial in the senate and one in a courtroom operates. The prosecutors do not run the process. Prosecutors are infamous for violating procedural conduct even in regular court. Please review the Brady Act and read “License to Lie,” by Sidney Powell to get a clear picture. Ask Hillary and Obama they surely know how the game is played. As to the letter in the May 6 issue, please understand the U.S. is a democratic republic, not a democracy, which would be totally inoperable. The basic rule is that all states have equal power as those with more residents. The electoral college is there for a reason, otherwise we would have ended up with Gore during 9/11 or Hillary to carry on Obama policies.
The founding fathers obviously knew more over 200 years ago than the current out of control democratic party. And yes it has been seen and will remain that the majority will rule as written in the constitution.
Hopefully, but doubtful, the Hawaiians will notice this and bring their elected officials to task. Tulsi is the only one that talks some sense.
Thanks to West Hawaii for at least reporting these issues, even though very few will see the opposing views.
Curtis Boyd
Kailua-Kona