Respect for workers
Respect for workers
I had nothing but respect and admiration for the work crew I saw this Saturday morning-before-Easter that was out trimming the palm fronds off 20- or 25-foot high trees. Maybe not a glamour job, but it is an honorable work, and I suspect one paying a premium for holiday weekend toil.
Theirs was a desire to be productive, bring home a decent wage, and feel good about themselves when the job was done. Yes, there is dignity in work. No matter the job, do it well, and proudly accept your compensation.
This morning’s effort is opposed to what we hear on the campaign trail that it is the government’s responsibility to see that we are all taken care of. If the job market is slow, then it is the responsibility of the government to enter the job creation business, and then shoulder the financial responsibility by offering free training for these new jobs. Then there is tuition-free college and loan forgiveness for students who simply overpaid for their college degrees.
It goes on and on. And if nothing seems to pan out, apply for food stamps, a free cellphone and welfare. It’s a done deal. During this Easter season, when I saw these tree workers with power saws and brooms in hand, I saw Resurrection power in their efforts. They were going to literally rise up and take care of themselves and their families.
Crucified, dead, and buried was the idea of lamenting in victimhood and waiting for big government to resuscitate their lives.
My hat is tipped to those workers, male and female, who do the heavy lifting and have the incentive to move their lives forward. They do not wait for their ship to come in. They swim out to it.
Richard Dinges
Hilo
Island’s cats impressively healthy
On our recent visit, we noted the articles about the feral cats on the Big Island. We have been annual visitors to the islands for many years. Our first visit to Waikoloa was five years ago and we became impressed by and are now regular visitors to the Abaykitties sanctuary.
We were impressed so much so that we have not been back to our Maui timeshare since.
All the cats seem to be well cared for and healthy. They are regularly fed by devoted local volunteers who look after and care about their well-being. Many of the cats are friendly and we look forward to our visits with them.
While in the sanctuary we see and meet many other tourists and locals who are equally enamored. By spraying, neutering, and regularly testing these abandoned animals, this organization has taken the appropriate steps to humanely allow them to live out their lives and provide enjoyment to many tourists and locals alike.
Pat and Jim Hemak
Shorewood, Minn.
Caucus was chaotic
Took off work early yesterday to vote. Drove all the way to Hawi from Muana Lani to find at 3 p.m. they were closed. They opened at 1 p.m. What is with that?
Guess I don’t have a vote in this very important election. Very much upset that I don’t have a say. Something is very wrong with the whole process.
Stephen Schleder
Kamuela