An interesting move
is afoot to change the complexion of the race for the Governor of Guam and the
Guam Legislature in this year's General Election. While many have had their differences with
the current Administration, it appears that such animosity is leading some to
try to break up what has been a 40 year exercise in defining who we are as a
modern American community.
Political parties
stand for the shared ideologies of people.
For our island, much of the way Guam voters and politicos lined
themselves for the past four decades has mirrored the major national political
parties. But in that time, in this Blogger's
humble opinion, each side of the political landscapes either stifled growth of
their respective Party's ideas and or pushed away supporters by pandering to
opposing segments of the electorate.
That is Guam politics one friend told me. But where does that leave Guam
and the election for the island's chief executive?
There are demands
that the Guam economy has to be diversified or be left behind in a fast
changing world. Tourism remains the
number one industry on Guam followed closely by federal defense spending in
dollars injected into the economy. This
two-legged stool has been shaky as of late and finding a third leg is proving
more and more challenging. The business
climate is not so great and regulations hold down what could be such great
prosperity. Too much focus is spent on
helping the few private sector interests at the expense of many. Jobs are few and far between. Also, the delivery of education services
remain challenged and under federal scrutiny.
Public safety and health concerns are diminished that social ills and
crime are now littering the front pages of local newspapers.
The electorate will
either keep the status quo or demand change no matter the cost. The evolution of subversive political action
groups will certainly dial back the efforts of both the Republican and
Democratic Parties of Guam who struggle to keep up with their national
counterparts. Incumbents are not seeing
this very clearly. The messaging of both
parties has grown stale and now overused or cliché. They are not doing a good job in inspiring
greatness of our people. Each are using
the spin to create a society dependent on government, What happened to each person seeking their
own destiny in life? What about laws to
foster individual growth and economic stimulus? Guam has grown so much, yet we
have reduced our people to thinking that all that we see in front of us is this
new and improved way of life.
So what can this
community do to turn this attitude around? Be involved. Ask the hard questions.
Demand accountability. Seek the truth and honesty about public policy.
Many will be
involved. Only a few will make this
election memorable. But all of this does
not mean a thing unless you vote. This
fundamental right trumps all the story lines that will infiltrate all across
this island community over the next 10 months.