National policy
National policy
Banks more important than education?
Congress is posed to double the interest rates on student loans from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. Our mismanaged, greedy banks get loans for 0 percent.
This indicates our government considers bank wealth is considerably more important than maintaining our prominence in the world through an educated population that can innovate, be world producers and leaders.
Instead we are falling behind in world rankings and have become a “dumbed down,” consumer society that can be easily persuaded to vote for those who offer the biggest barbecue. No thinking involved, just be stupid and “trust us.”
Banks contribute considerable monies to our politicians. Banks are corporations and, since corporations have been deemed “people,” they can use their zero-interest loans that we paid in taxes to unduly influence politicians to keep the scam going.
Here is the scam: You pay taxes. The government loans your tax money to the banks interest-free. The banks make you pay 18 percent (or more) in credit card debt on the money you loaned them for free.
Nice profit they made on the loan you made them, eh?
The way it should work is the banks should pay the taxpayers interest on the money we loaned them, not the other way around.
Recently JP Morgan managed to lose $2 billion in bad investments from loans our government made it using money that we paid in taxes.
Does this make you angry? It should. To make up for the loss, we want students, whose education is vital to our world competitiveness, to double their loan payment rate.
Considering the miserable bank performance that has put our economy in a disastrous tail spin, it’s the banks that should be paying the 6.8 percent and the student 0 percent.
I was fortunate to have lived in an era when the government adhered to the belief than an educated country is a successful country and gave out super-low student loan rates. Yes, we were net exporters and had no deficit during those times.
When you meet with your federal politicians and candidates for office, ask them why mismanaged, failing banks get interest-free 0 percent loans while aspiring students, who are the lifeblood to our economy’s future, are being asked to pay 6.8 percent. Ask them if a bank or financial interest has contributed to their campaign, ask them what are their priorities.
Richard Fucik
Kalaoa
Cameron memorial
Family appreciation
Thank you for your coverage of the memorial for Hawaii Fire Department rescue specialist Greg Cameron (“A Hui Hou,” June 3). The event to celebrate Greg’s life was attended by hundreds of department employees and friends in the community.
The event also provided an opportunity for Greg’s family to thank the many outstanding county employees who generously donated their time, money, and love to Greg as he fought cancer.
Greg loved his job, and he loved the opportunities he had every day to come to the rescue of those in his community who needed help.
Big Island residents can take immense pride in their county fire department. Fire Chief Darren Rosario and Deputy Fire Chief Renwick Victorino oversee an outstanding group of exceptional professionals. While their commitment to saving lives and protecting properties is evident every day, they are most impressive for their commitment to each other and to the well-being of every citizen in the community they serve.
Under direction of retired HFD Captain Grant Kojima and HFD emergency medical services chief Jesse Ebersole, the Greg Cameron Firemen’s Fund will build on this legacy to help department employees and their families who face extraordinary expenses from injury or prolonged illness (TGCFF.com).
Greg’s family wishes to especially thank Captain Sean Sommers, Captain Bobby Perreira, Fire Equipment Operator Brian Cushnie, and helicopter pilot Kalani Ching for their exceptional efforts to make Greg’s memorial memorable for all who attended.
Next time you see a bright yellow HFD vehicle on the road or beautiful Chopper 2 in the air, give their crews a wave of support. Someone’s life is probably about to be saved.
Brad Cameron
for the Cameron Family
Greenbrae, Calif.