Make it fair
Make it fair
“Obamacare” doesn’t care about me. I am younger than 65 years old, and make my own way in the world.
I am not an elected official, a government employee, a welfare recipient, a union member or participant in a trade organization. I do not have health insurance because I am paying for it, for all of the above, either through taxes or adjusted prices.
I do not begrudge my brothers and sisters their perks, just expect that I could obtain equal coverage with an average price tag. So, let’s do away with all the doublespeak, put EVERYONE in the SAME basket, divide the cost EQUALLY between ALL participants, and move on.
Jeff Lux
Volcano
Astronomy and TMT
Kudos to Gov. Neil Abercrombie for showcasing astronomy and the Thirty Meter Telescope in his recent State of the State Address.
To quote the governor, “Mauna Kea is Hawaii’s gift to the world — the best place on the planet to observe the universe. It is without peer.”
Astronomy started 50 years ago on Hawaii Island. Today, we are proud to host 13 observatories operated by the United States, Great Britain, Canada, France, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, the Netherlands, Taiwan and Japan. Thirty Meter Telescope will add India and China to our international mix.
Though they have not yet built an observatory, TMT has already become an exemplary corporate citizen.
They have endured the long and arduous permitting process to build on Mauna Kea, all the while quietly supporting islandwide robotics programs, internships and mentorships with the Akamai Workforce Initiative, GEMS and many other programs.
Once construction is underway, TMT will fund $1 million per year for scholarships and educational programs for Hawaii Island students, in addition to paying lease rent.
Gov. Abercrombie said it best: “Our state must support and ensure that this tremendous opportunity comes to fruition.”
Vivian Landrum
President/CEO,
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce