It is getting to be dangerous to read the newspaper. I don’t even want to contemplate what happened to my blood pressure when I read the headline in the ”’Honolulu Advertiser”’ last Friday morning, “Senate Committee OKs Long-Term-Care Tax Plan.”

See https://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Mar/28/ln/ln02a.html

What is the matter with these people? What part of “We elected a Republican governor because she said she would reduce government and not raise taxes,” don’t they understand?

American taxpayers already pay more in taxes than food, clothing and shelter combined. Not only does Hawaii have one of the highest tax burdens in the nation, we also pay roughly 30 percent more for everyday commodities because of the outmoded Jones Act and exorbitant shipping costs required to pay members of the longshoremen union members’ top-rate, full-time pay for a half day’s work.

Now in addition to all that, Hawaii Democrats want to saddle each of us, those who work anyway, with another tax that is classic socialist boondoggle. They want to take from those who earn it, to give to those these politicians deem need it. “From each according to their ability, to each according to their need,” said Karl Marx, father of Communism. And this is exactly what they propose.

The long-term care tax is probably the most unfair tax proposal currently under consideration. Since it requires the identical amount from all workers, it is the most regressive tax possible. It will hurt the working poor the most. In fact, it is this utter disregard for what this will mean to the poorest among us that makes it so cynical. The proposal is political pandering at its very worst, completely ignoring the economic damage it will do to the average working stiff, which is supposed to be their core constituency. What contempt these politicians must have for the very voters who elected them.

What’s more, this proposal is self perpetuating because it robs those poorest among us of the ability to save the very funds that would go toward saving for retirement care.

Money that would be better invested by individuals to provide for eventual long-term care is taken by the state for this redistribution scheme. These people are almost guaranteed to rely upon the state when their time comes.

The worst thing about this proposal is that it is a trick. The $70 a day it would provide would not cover even half of such care at today’s costs. Since it takes 10 years to become vested who knows what the prices will be when the program actually begins? Even with the projected increase in the payout, it can never be more than a faction of the total. Thus it is really no benefit at all, it is a meager supplemental.

Calling it “long-term-care” is plainly dishonest because the plan is only for a single year while the average stay currently is over two years. But there is more to this plan than just long-term care.

The real danger is the state legislators will simply be unable to keep their grubby paws off this growing pool of money. Look at the recent battles over raiding the state’s Hurricane Relief Fund and multiply that by a thousand. The money collected will simply be too attractive for our free spending leftist representatives to view without scheming where to spend it elsewhere. It is perfectly analogous to the growing Social Security, “trust fund,” crisis. This, “long-term-care,” program will inevitably suffer the same fate. It simply won’t be solvent by the time it is needed.

It is also perfectly analogous to the city’s problem with the Sewage Treatment funds. That money too has already been allocated to and spent by the general fund. On every level, government proves it cannot resist the temptation such funds present. There is every reason to think the Legislature at some point will allocate this money to the general fund.

That is why this proposal is so offensive. It is a shell game. It is a disguised tax increase, period. The Democratic majority, stymied in its efforts to figure out how to get more money, is pandering to the fears of the populace concerning nursing care costs to get around this problem. It is the driven by the liberal’s incessant quest to ever increase taxes and expand government.

The other dirty little secret about this proposal is that it actually intends to rob some people. It is an accepted fact that many people move to Hawaii, enjoy it for a few years, and then return to the mainland or elsewhere. They never intend to stay for the rest of their lives, although some find they cannot make themselves leave, and are just content with their Hawaiian memories.

This proposal seeks to tax these people, and never give any return in service for the taxes collected. It literally depends upon a major portion of those who pay in to the fund for a length of time leaving the islands never to avail themselves of the program. In fact, this program actually seeks to drive people from Hawaii by making it yet more difficult and expensive to live here.

In the final analysis this program will never be implemented, at some point it will die or be repealed.

First, Gov. Linda Lingle will most certainly veto it. Should the Democrats be so shortsighted as to override the veto, the program itself will be its own undoing. When people actually begin to feel the effects of this tax upon their lives, on top of all the other pending tax increases, their frustration and anger will increase. This will have political effects.

It is clear from the last two election cycles that this state, along with the rest of the nation, is moving towards the right. The Democratic majority in the Legislature is ignoring this fact to its detriment. Tax increases such as this, “long-term-care,” boondoggle are only going to further inspire this shift away from the left. In a way, I hope they do override what will most certainly be a governor’s veto, (she better) since this will only serve to anger the people more.

There is a growing frustration with left wing ideas and causes. This can be seen by the increasing number of, “Pro-America” rallies in opposition to the anti-America ones.

The local newspapers failed to note the Pro-America rallies on Saturday were larger than the previous anti-America rallies on the islands so far.

And this mood is growing.

Die hard leftist legislators are completely out of touch with the 80 percent of everyday Americans who support our troops and this war.

Just as they are out of touch with the feelings of the majority about increasing taxes.

They will discover just how wrong they are at the next election where that growing anger will translate into more Republican votes.

”’Don Newman is a free-lance writer living in Honolulu. He can be reached via email at:”’ mailto:newmand001@hawaii.rr.com

Rep. Marcus Oshiro recently was criticized for voting on a matter that involved an organization to which he owed a fiduciary duty. [“Controversy shelves Wahiawa health center bill,” Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 21, 2003]

Oshiro claimed that he had done nothing wrong, arguing that the state’s conflict-of-interests statute applies only to “state officials and employees,” not legislators. As he pointed out, “it says nothing about legislators

Rep. Marcus Oshiro recently was criticized for voting on a matter that involved an organization to which he owed a fiduciary duty. [“Controversy shelves Wahiawa health center bill,” Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 21, 2003]

Oshiro claimed that he had done nothing wrong, arguing that the state’s conflict-of-interests statute applies only to “state officials and employees,” not legislators. As he pointed out, “it says nothing about legislators

I can’t help it but the media is focusing too much on war. Not that the issue is not important but the priority should have the well being of “we the people.” That’s why we fight this war, to improve our lives and living conditions.

The unfortunate implications are that our state, which depends heavily on tourism, is directly affected by the military activities in the Middle East. But it shouldn’t. Somehow a false fear has been created in the public’s minds that travel has become more dangerous through anticipated terror attacks.

Let’s please be realistic. After the saddening and unthinkable 09/11 events no incident has occurred that supports any such concern. Still travel is down and confidence is low. Why and what can we, Hawaii do, to offset such opinion and revitalize our sluggish economy that depends so much on tourism?

First of all there is no war on American soil. The world sentiment seems to become increasingly anti-American. That tells us that world travel by Americans has become more limited. That provides an incredible advantage for mainland travelers to Hawaii. World surveys show that travelers are less concerned about the war but more about terror activities.

Thus we should not only prioritize the U.S. mainland as main target market but need to send a ”’loud”’ and ”’clear”’ message to the world, to our main target markets, that Hawaii is ”’safe.”’ The world already knows it’s beautiful. This message should be repeated as often and decisive as even possible. According to the newest demographics released by the World Travel Organization, world travel is as strong as ever. Only destinations are being avoided that are directly impacted by this war. Hawaii is not, but still travel is down.

Let’s take a close look at other destinations that are competing with us. For example there is New Zealand, Mauritius, Barbados and other tropical spots that are reporting record numbers in arrivals and pre bookings despite the situation in Iraq. These countries are profiting through intelligent marketing strategies that also take in consideration the diversified mentalities and cultural differences of targeted markets. Austria is even providing regular ”’direct flights”’ to Australia and New Zealand.

Hawaii missed the tremendous opportunity to promote our beautiful Aloha State as ”’secure”’ at the world largest and important travel and tourism fair, the ITB in Berlin, Germany. The Hawaii Visitor and Convention Bureau were present but wasted its ill-advised efforts.

The world, except Hawaii, was heavily courting — as every year — the German speaking market that is undoubtedly the most important travel force the world knows. Every year the European Travel Industry decides (here) on travel destinations for coming seasons. Hawaii was unconvincing.

It is no use pointing fingers. However, immediate and intelligent actions can still turn this situation to Hawaii’s benefit. I am totally against sending a Hawaii Delegation to any target market, including Japan. At a later time perhaps.

Instead Hawaii must invite the influential managers from target markets that make decisions on world travel destinations for European and other travelers. And we should ”’court”’ and treat them with the utmost aloha spirit, our most effective marketing tool. The main message should be ”’safety.”’ The invitations should come from our governor.

And while they are here we should find out what promotional strategies they recommend Hawaii should implement to support and win over Europe and others again. Perhaps sending a delegation from the Polynesian Cultural Center would be advisable.

Hawaii must also invite and ”’court”’ the important world travel media for our world target markets to decisively report through P/R and ”’real reporting”’ about Paradise Hawaii and our ”’safety.”’ Hawaii, in the world, is not considered part of the (continental) USA and very unique in culture. We need to emphasize on that.

Short or medium impact will depend on how quickly Hawaii can begin with intelligent marketing. It is ill advised to cancel advertisement during war. Never leave a market totally alone. Stay there, reduced, but continue to advertise. Never stop entirely. But that only applies to markets where advertisement works. Not so in Europe. Europe’s travel mentality does not respond too well to commercial advertisement. P/R, Real Reporting, Real News, Real Stories spiked with positive reporting about ”’safety”’ and Paradise Hawaii are well perceived.

We need to target all former East Bloc Countries (they have been deprived of travel and are eager to do so) Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Italy and the U.K. We need to organize direct flights from Europe. That cuts travel time in half and prevents terror fear because no US airlines are utilized.

The lack of qualified and intelligent marketing strategists has so far slowed down much needed progress. In summary if we decisively promote Hawaii as the place we are, ”’safe”’ and ”’desirable”’ and repeat that message as often as even possible we will succeed.

”’Dieter Thate is owner of Kimapa Marketing (est. 1982) and Dieter’s Tours (est. 1993) And can be reached via email:”’ mailto:mail@kimapa.com ”’or visit his web site at:”’ https://www.kimapa.com

I was recently at a rally at the Hawaii State Animal Quarantine Station. My heart broke to hear of animals that entered quarantine, healthy, only to have died or had their lives shortened by abuse or illness — at the hands of our state.

I cried for one woman whose three dogs, including one that notifies her when she needs medication for her diabetes, are in Quarantine. This “lifesaver” pet, not a certified service dog, must remain incarcerated.

At the rally, one person with an animal in quarantine reportedly paid employees “under the table” to prevent spreading of pesticides around his animals’ cages. Others told of their dogs’ personalities and physical health changing; bloody stools; loss of hair and sight; liver damage — caused by Diazinon, the pesticide used at the quarantine station.

Exposure to Diazinon causes physical, mental and nerve damage and behavioral changes to the human or animal body. By using Diazinon to kill pests, the state is killing pets.

Quarantine is a depressing place. I felt the dark energy — the sadness and pain.

It is a mystery as to why the state objects to changing the Quarantine system. The leaders of the state only need to study the rabies vaccination statistics to see quarantine, as operated in Hawaii, is completely unnecessary.

Today, we can fly from the mainland to the United Kingdom and back with a “pet passport” (eligible pets have rabies vaccinations, blood tests and microchips).

But we cannot fly between the mainland and the “Aloha” state without “jailing” our pets. I know. My family has lived in Hawaii for 38 years and I recently returned from the mainland with my beloved Tiffany.

Spending 30 to 120 days exposed to the elements, sleeping in the same confined quarters to eat, defecate and urinate, is cruel, inhumane punishment.

Yet our innocent, vaccinated animal companions are imprisoned at the state Quarantine, guilty only of being in Hawaii.

I ask our lawmakers to please support Ruby’s law and eliminate unnecessary incarceration of qualified pets and the 120-day pre-qualification time.

”’Audrey Hutton is a resident of Kaneohe and can be reached via email at:”’ mailto:AJHaloha@aol.com

Want to make that flight to the mainland more comfortable? Here are a few tips from a veteran of the airways.

Make a comfort kit: In the good old days, first class international passengers were given a travel kit on each flight. It contained wonderful little amenities that made the trip easier. I have developed my own and keep it stocked at all times. Find a purse or bag about the size of a book. When you get on the plane, pull it out of your carryon and keep it next to you through the flight.

Ideas for your kit: hand lotion, lip balm, comb or brush, eye shades, ear plugs, blow-up neck pillow, melatonin, aspirin, bandaids, gum, mirror, eye drops (or contact lens solution and small contact carrying case), small package of tissues, small washcloth in ziplock bag, tea bags of your favorite decaf and regular tea, pen and small notepad, reading glasses. Most recently I stopped by the hardware store and picked up a mask for those winter flights filled with folks who couldn’t stay home and brought their cold for us all to share. A small bottle of Eucalyptus oil can’t hurt for the same reason. I also carry small bottle of tea tree oil for those occasional cuts and irritations.

Carry water always! Don’t bet on them giving you water until you are almost an hour out. There are wonderful carrying cases for water bottles that make it easy to carry it comfortably over your shoulder.

Carry snacks. Because of the long check in times these days, you may find yourself hungry as you get on the plane. Again, most food service doesn’t start for at least an hour. And not all airports are fully stocked with restaurants and options. Pick up energy bars, crackers, nuts and dried fruits “just in case.” Remember you cannot bring fruit to Hawaii.

Get there early: It is a good idea to get to the airport at least 2 1/2