Why not $1,203?
Like most Americans, I had anticipated my $1,200 CARES Act payment to be electronically deposited into my bank account. Instead, I received an envelope from the “U.S. Department of the Treasury” containing a paper check. At the time, I dismissed that inefficient delivery method. Perhaps, I even enjoyed the experience of touching a check.
What happened next is what bothers me. A week later, I received a follow-up letter, this time bearing the return address “Internal Revenue Service” stating that it contained Notice 1444. Naturally, I opened this envelope with even greater speed than the one from the Treasury Department. Instead of hopeful anticipation of its contents, the IRS return address had sent my mind into a temporary panic mode.
Fortunately, I quickly realized that Notice 1444 was merely a notification confirming that I will be receiving, or should have already received, a $1,200 check or debit card. Whew.
Surprisingly, the mysterious notice was merely a form letter printed with “The White House” as its letterhead, and it contained an image of the president’s signature. Am I the only person who found the essence of Notice 1444 to be a political mailing issued at the taxpayers’ expense?
Maybe I should give President Donald Trump a break and even follow his lead. Perhaps, every time I pay my bills, I should send follow-up letters informing my vendors/creditors what a good guy I am to have sent them the payments that were already due to them. I wonder if the government printing office will produce my Notice 1444 letters/envelopes at taxpayer expense, then arrange for the post office deliver them, postage free.
I estimate that copies of Notice 1444 cost our government (yours and mine) over $3 each. Quite frankly, I would rather have seen everyone receive $1,203. Wouldn’t you?
James Donovan
Waikoloa
Green’s idea would make Hawaii safest destination
Lt. Gov. Josh Green’s idea for diagnostic testing of tourists before travel to Hawaii (Travel with Aloha) and serial testing once arrived, would make the Hawaiian Islands the safest vacation destination in the world. People would want to come here. For starters, a testing arrangement could be made with western states like California, Washington, and Alaska, and countries like Japan. Those locations would want their travelers tested before their return home. It would be a win-win. If the Hawaiian Islands become a hot spot, tourism may take years to recover.
Barbara Feliciano
Waimea
A restriction of a right?
Can Gov. David Ige restrict tourists from coming to Hawaii? My first impression as a Constitutional lawyer is absolutely not.
Under the U.S. Constitution, “the right to travel is a part of the liberty of which the citizen cannot be deprived without due process of law under the Fifth Amendment.” “The right to travel, to go from place to place as the means of transportation permit, is a natural right subject to the rights of others and to reasonable regulation under law.”
And, guess what? This provision, which is a very powerful one, also applies to inter-state travel. So therefore, Ige’s Proclamation or Executive Order restricting us from traveling between islands is unconstitutional on its face.
So, the issue under the Constitution is whether the governor’s proclamation restricting us as American citizens, and tourists, as American citizens was reasonable. My answer is No. What’s your answer?
Lei Kihoi
Kailua-Kona
Fact or fiction?
Claims that nearly 70% of our county’s property taxes come from the luxury home developments that are on the west side of the Big Island? Philanthropy from the targeted tax group? There are only absentee owners whose properties exceed $2 million in value. Give millions a year into the local charities of their choice? Are these really the jewels of our economy as he suggests? Why have I never read about all of this philanthropy in WHT? We always hear about the Sayre Foundation’s philanthropy.
There are many luxury homes on the west side that are exempt from the proposed tax increase — just look at the real estate section in your Sunday paper under $2 million, of course the ultra wealthy never want to pay their fair share. Just look at Bill and Melinda Gates: opposes the 2% wealth tax on wealth over $50,000 but likes to be known as a great philanthropist.
Mark Zuckerberg, who also does not pay his fair share of taxes, recently gave $1 million to some charity of his choosing. Truth is society would be much better off if all of these super rich people and corporations would just pay their fair share to fund the social functioning of the societies in which they live, occupy, and rely on.
Come on Hawaii County Council and Mayor Harry Kim do the right thing by your constituents.
Rusty Iijima
Waikoloa Village
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