America the Paradox
Dear Editor, January 15, 2026
We want our very best as president, yet have elected a senile president AND a crazy one (twice!)! And Trump makes many wonder if SENILE was BETTER than CRAZY! The newest protest signs could say, “CRAZY: WORSE THAN SENILE!”
(Maybe we should have let Biden “beat Medicare” as he declared during the presidential debate, instead of allowing the current chaos!)
Though America wrestles with accusations of deep-seated racism, millions of nonwhites are dying (some literally) to come here.
We protest ICE’s deportations, but would call the police if a stranger entered our home without permission.
Sometimes quick to dismiss due process for illegal immigrants, we demand it for ourselves when accused.
Politically, we’re divided into pro-choice or pro-life camps, but most Americans SHIFT their stance depending on circumstances, like age of fetus and mother, etc.
We tout free speech but cancel opposing views as hate speech. And believe that violating laws and the rights of others is justified as part of OUR free speech expression.
We are one of the most digitally informed countries in the world, but it results in BOTH sides believing that they are supremely right and that the OTHER side is abysmally evil and moronically wrong! And as A.I. continues to tailor our news feeds to our personal biases, that polarization will intensify.
Some say we should put a ban or extreme tariffs on Chinese goods because China is our enemy and a ban would create American jobs. BUT, we are MASSIVELY DEPENDENT on Chinese goods and parts.
While bringing back manufacturing like the good ol’ days sounds good, Americans would have to work for a fraction of current wages OR raise prices drastically.
For the first time in about a century, we face a rival in China that challenges our economic AND military might (the USSR failed because its economy could not sustain its military). AND we FEED their power and DRAIN ours through our addicted lust for their cheap goods.
While considered “super wealthy”, the U.S. has spent more than it earns EVERY year since 2002, creating an illusion of prosperity by borrowing and printing “counterfeit” money to pay our bills. We are broke and in decline.
We keep rushing downhill with no end in sight, or rather there is - ours.
Leighton Loo
Mililani, Oahu
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Rep Quinlan: Legislators not required to Respond to Constituents
Dear Editor, Jan 1, 2026
I was encouraged to email the State House Speaker and Vice House Speaker regarding my communication issue with Rep. Nicole Lowen.
She refused to acknowledge my emails for several years. I confronted her about it and she told me it was burdensome to respond and already knew the information I shared with her.
I sent several emails to state house leadership that were ignored until they had House Majority Leader Sean Quinlan called me a few weeks ago.
The conversation didn’t go very well. It felt like I was in a court of law being cross examined. He took her side and told me there are no legislative rules that cover constituent-legislator communications.
The worst part of the conversation was after he told me there are no remedies available to me. I told him I guess my only choice is voting against her next election.
Rep. Quinlan responded by stating “there are a lot of people in my community that don’t like me either.”
Aaron Stene
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Background: Rep Lowen Too Busy to Respond to Constituents