Still a bag problem
Banning all plastic bags: Great idea, but we are now forced to purchase woven paper bags at $1 each, and they rip, many times after one use.
Retailers are using this as a profit center and a hidden price increase.
Landfills are still having to take the torn bags, so where did we gain? Surely, there is a replacement that can last longer than a single use and not cost an outrageous amount?
Gail Lakritz
Keaau
Already socialist nation
In response to Sam Wallis’ letter, “More on socialism” (Tribune-Herald, April 23), I would like to remind him that the following institutions are classified socialism by many: police departments, fire departments, public libraries, public schools, public health departments, departments of transportation, departments of parks and recreation, departments of agriculture, departments of fisheries and departments of armies. They are all supported by public funds.
By these standards, we are already a socialist country. How many of them would he like to get rid of?
Lois Margaret Drake
Volcano
Ruining downtown
Open letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom: I am a longtime Hilo resident, and I share your dismay and anguish when a government leader sends its criminals, homeless and mentally ill to your sanctuary cities.
However, my anguish and dismay is not directed at President Donald Trump, but at your state of California judges, who continue to send the dregs of California’s society to the quaint city of Hilo by providing one-way plane tickets to these lowlifes.
Each one of these government leaders has shown they have the morality of a termite by forgetting the Golden Rule, “You don’t dump your trash in your neighbor’s yard.”
I beg you to tell your judges to stop this hideous practice. It is ruining the downtown core of Hilo.
Mike Combs
Hilo