Once again, Lowell Kalapa graces us with his annual diatribe bemoaning the Hawaii general excise tax (The Maui News, Jan. 17). Once again, he blesses us with comments like: "Anyone who has had to comply with the general excise tax knows how the tax can decimate whatever kind of profit a business may have anticipated."
Really? I don't believe I've ever received a bill or receipt that does not include a line item adding 4 percent GET to the sale price. Has anyone? Is Kalapa actually trying to tell us that a successful businessperson who can add up his cost of goods (services) sold, all of the varied items that make up his overhead and a reasonable profit to arrive at a sale price is yet then too dumb to add 4 percent GET at point of sale? I'm a businessman and I assure you I can add it. As a matter of fact, I think Kalapa has just insulted me.
Lowell, I think you owe all of the successful business people in Hawaii an apology. As a matter of fact, you should probably do the same for Punahou and Northwestern. Surely you slept through math class. Enough already.
Al Rabold
Kula
