Tour guide judged too harshly
After letting it sink in for couple of days, I need to speak out regarding the quoted comment by Keller Laros regarding the “homeless guy.”
This prejudgment without having any facts to back up his assessment of the person’s status and qualifications is a perfect example of prejudice prior to investigation. Shame on him for disqualifying the man simply because he thinks the man is homeless.
May I suggest that Mr. Laros refrain from judging others and spend more time on improving his own character flaws.
Charlie West
Kailua-Kona
Texas real taxpayer drain
Regarding Frank Dickinson’s letter, Sunday March 18, there were so many outrageous statements made, it’s hard to know where to begin.
I’d like to respond, in part, to this quote: “Release Hawaii from statehood, quit sending them hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, take away all the rights they have as American citizens. See what happens.”
Apparently, Mr. Dickinson has not heard the old adage: Those in glass houses should not throw stones.
Fact: Texas, compared to Hawaii, receives far more tax dollars in federal aid as a percentage of state general revenue. Texas ranks No. 21, receiving 33.4 percent of their state general revenue in the form of federal aid.
Hawaii is No. 48 at 22.8 percent, a far lesser percentage. Source: Taxpayer Foundation, Jan. 18, 2018. Years 2013 and 2014 mirror 2015, the most current year available.
Perhaps it would be a better idea to quit sending Texas hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, as they suck down more federal aid than most other states, especially compared to Hawaii. In his own words, “See what happens.”
I’m sure this is an inconvenient truth for Mr. Dickinson, that he’ll likely label as “fake news.” Please do us all a favor and take your “alternative facts” back to Texas, where I’m sure, they have an adoring audience, unlike here.
Mike Nallick
Kailua-Kona
Councilwoman’s unaware claim bogus
I believe if you are not intelligent enough to fill out a form then you should hire someone intelligent enough to do it for you. Having seen the financial disclosure form council members are required to fill out, I also believe if you are not intelligent enough to fill it out, then you shouldn’t serve as a council member. However, flatly denying even owning a vacation rental condo unit has nothing to do with the form and intelligence! That is fraud!
I would hate to even think of the possibility of Councilwoman Karen Eoff not paying GET and TAT on her vacation rental condo income that she less-than-intelligently believes is not an income. It probably would be wise for our tax authorities to check on that possibility.
John S. Rabi
Kailua-Kona