The decline of politics in the United States
I remember when junior high school student body politics was a joke, and national politics could almost be taken seriously, but that was a long time ago.
Political attack ads exist because someone鈥檚 political party has nothing to offer the public except rancid rhetoric about how bad they believe their opponents are, because their benefactors don鈥檛 want someone in power who will stand up to them.
The worse the negativity, the harder one should question the attacker鈥檚 motives.
One tiny but influential country had a super PAC ready to drop around $100,000 to attack a congressman from an East Coast state, as numerous foreign nations are trying to buy their way into our federal government.
One nation doesn鈥檛 want anybody saying anything bad about them, so they drafted legislation which, if passed, Americans could be arrested for 鈥渄efaming鈥� that country. They are desperate to control the U.S. and consider us their lapdog.
Some political analysts believe the electorate is extremely stupid and can be very easily swayed. Fortunately, or unfortunately, they may be half right, but which half is difficult to tell.
For many years, it was said the United States of America had the best government money could buy, but now quality has been replaced with what a former classmate called flamboyant mediocrity.
It鈥檚 a circus, but don鈥檛 call them clowns, as clowning is an honorable profession.
Speaking of honor, have you ever noticed the amount of questionable characters in office who would probably be called honorable unless it was a part of their job title? There are those who should be addressed as 鈥淭he Horrible鈥� instead of 鈥淭he Honorable.鈥�
American politics has become more akin to an explosion in a sewage treatment plant.
Dave Kisor
Pahoa
Mahalo for highway changes near Papaikou
I want to express my gratitude for the new signalized pedestrian crosswalks, the reduced speed limit, and the previously installed speed bumps on the highway as you pass through Papaikou.
These are both life-changing and life-saving.
I have no idea who is responsible, nor how it was accomplished, but thank you 鈥� it makes a difference and is appreciated.
Patrick Bodell
Papaikou
The unfortunate passing of Dominic Yagong
It was with much sadness that I recently heard of the passing away of Dominic Yagong of Honoka鈥榓.
While we were not close friends, I knew about his many activities and efforts to make the Big Island a better community, including coaching football, serving as a County Council member, managing community associations and other endeavors.
鈥淒om鈥� always had a ready smile, a good word to say to all, along with a keen sense of humor.
Mahalo nui loa for everything you did for the Big Island, Dom. We will miss you.
John Kitchen
Kailua-Kona