As I stated in my recent letter to the editor, corruption is nothing new to American Samoan Government since DOI turned over the administration of government from a palagi to our own elected administration. The canneries are threatening to leave and the Senate is planning to go on vacation in Hawaii for the Retirement Fund meeting. Senators claim they will have a better idea how the investment fund is being invested. The US Homeland Security has frozen all funds for American Samoa. A Senator is proposing a bill to give the governor and Lt. governor's salary and soon followed by a raise in legislators' pay. We have seen this scenario played out not too long ago. The minimum wage issue is still not resolved. Isn't there something wrong with this picture or is it just me?
We are the laughing stock of the world today on how we handle our political, social, and economical affairs. ASG continues to send the wrong message to the US taxpayer. A wise man wants said, "Do not bite the hand that feed your mouth." The wise man is running out of fingers and his about to turn off the free handouts. Being welfare dependent/recipient is not a solid foundation for future investment. It will only lead to a socialist communist system and corruption.
Wake up American Samoa.
Savai'i P. Amito'elau
Olosega, Manu'a
TOP
"Voting and Taxes"
Dear Editor,
So let me get this straight. The Senate wants to deny voting rights to people who pay federal taxes, military members, yet exempt themselves from paying federal taxes, the FICA withholding of their office allowances? The Yiddish have a word for this: chutzpah.
It appears that one of the reasons Chief Election Officer Soliai and the Senate gave for wanting to deny soldiers the right to register from off-island is because not enough of the soldiers exercise their right to vote. I don't remember the section of the Constitution that says that a person's right to vote can be denied if he doesn't exercise it. This is ridiculous.
It's no one's business whether someone voted or not. It is a RIGHT afforded to everyone. By that logic, the election office should go through the election rolls and purge every voter that didn't vote in the last two elections. See how ridiculous that sounds. And it's also kind of hard to vote if you're in a war zone, which many of our soldiers are in. By the time the ballots get there, it's almost November because they're sent to the home units and then to Iraq.
And when Senate President Lolo states that there are no available statistics as to the number of Samoan soldiers that put American Samoa down as their home of record, that is bogus. They know exactly the number of soldiers that have American Samoa as their home of record. About 8 or 10 years ago, a delegation from American Samoa visited my army post to plead with the soldiers to put down American Samoa as their home of record. It was led by Fofo Sunia and Tifi Ale, then the Treasurer.
They said our homeland needs our financial support and one way of providing tautua for our people was to make sure our tax dollars went home.
And now they're telling me that you need my tax dollars, but don't need my vote. I feel cheated. My kids go to school in Texas. I drive on the highways of Texas and use all of the resources of the state of Texas. Yet I don't pay a dime in state taxes to Texas because all of my state tax money goes to American Samoa. Because of the words of Fofo and Ale, "Alolofa I le atunu'u ma nai aiga o lo'o I Samoa." Fofo and Tifi, please help us convince the Senate and House to give us the right to register from off-island. You asked us for help for our island, now we are asking you to help our cause.
And on a final note, there are millions of dollars that service members send home in the form of remittances. Every Samoan soldier I know has an allotment set up for their parents or family back home. Many of the people sitting in the Fale Fono get those checks every month from their kids. The funny thing is we never hear from them until something happens to the allotment or there is a fa'alavelave, then they remember us.
And yet they now are looking at ways to deny us the right to vote. To expect a soldier to pay $2000 to buy a round trip ticket to come home just to register to vote is not right. It's easy for the faipule and senators to say because they don't pay for any travel.
They have their travel allowances and per diems. Ask Lolo when was the last time he actually paid for a trip off-island. I bet it was before he got into the Senate. Maybe they've forgotten how expensive it is.
The audacity of these people, the same people who are resisting paying federal taxes, to ask soldiers to spend money to come home to register, when Puerto Ricans, Guamanians and others can register from their posts.
You ask us to put our lives on the lines to defend, pay taxes to American Samoa, send allotments home, yet deny us the right to vote. What do we get out of this? What service does the government of American Samoa provide for me and my children to justify the sending of my tax dollars back home? Perhaps it's time for every soldier to pull their tax dollars from ASG. Maybe then you will remember your Toa o Samoa.
Ma le ava e tatau ai,
Ailani Galeai
U.S. Army
Send comments to admin@manuatele.net
8/17/07
Letter to the Editor
"American Samoa students need NOT apply"
Dear Editor:
I just read about our Delegate's bill in Congress to provide ONE MILLION DOLLARS scholarships for Pacific island students. Wow, that's a lot of kupe!
Here's my trivia question: Which students need not apply because they're not eligible? You guessed it! Our own American Samoan students are excluded from Eni's Scholarship Program! What's wrong with this picture? I for one feel there is something terribly awry, sad and unfair when we send a Delegate to Congress over and over who seems interested only in getting scholarships and other benefits for everyone except his own constituents.
Very respectfully,
A voting constituent & parent
Send comments to admin@manuatele.net
Reprinted from Samoa News
August 15, 2007
"Faleomavaega's Colbert Interview"
Dear Editor,
I read Faleomavaega's press release about appearing on the Stephen Colbert Report show. You don't have to wait two weeks to see it down here. If you have a computer and are on-line, go to http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_colbert_report/index.jhtml and you can see Colbert's interview, if you can stand the embarrassment.
Frankly, I don't see why Eni would brag about it. If he wants to make a fool out of himself personally, sitting there without a coat in his trademark bolo tie, that's fine by me but when he allows his office to be demeaned and the territory to be ridiculed, he steps over the line.
That's why the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus told freshmen members to avoid doing this show.
Read about it here:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=22223
I guess he didn't give the same advice to senior members because he didn't think they needed it. With all these members of Congress avoiding the Colbert show, no wonder he got on.
Faleomavaega owes us an apology for holding American Samoa up to scorn.
Signed,
Enraged voter
I agree CSM. I think most of our leaders at are in it for themselves. I've gone home almost every year in the 18 years that I've been in the Army, and it sickens me that after all this time very little has improved, if anything. Maybe you should run for Gov. When you hang up your boots. Or even Congress. You would get my vote. I've deployed to combat four times in my career, and I've figured out that very few people other than our famlies and loved ones care about service members who pay the price for the freedom that everyone else enjoys. Good luck CSM.
Airborne All The Way
SFC Matautia, Fonoti S Jr
Reprinted from Samoa News
August 15, 2007
"Faleomavaega's Colbert Interview"
Dear Editor,
I read Faleomavaega's press release about appearing on the Stephen Colbert Report show. You don't have to wait two weeks to see it down here. If you have a computer and are on-line, go to http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_colbert_report/index.jhtml and you can see Colbert's interview, if you can stand the embarrassment.
Frankly, I don't see why Eni would brag about it. If he wants to make a fool out of himself personally, sitting there without a coat in his trademark bolo tie, that's fine by me but when he allows his office to be demeaned and the territory to be ridiculed, he steps over the line.
That's why the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus told freshmen members to avoid doing this show.
Read about it here:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=22223
I guess he didn't give the same advice to senior members because he didn't think they needed it. With all these members of Congress avoiding the Colbert show, no wonder he got on.
Faleomavaega owes us an apology for holding American Samoa up to scorn.
Signed,
Enraged voter
August 10, 2007
Absentee Ballot for American Samoa's Local Election
American Samoans in the US Military are Constituents and Taxpayers that should be afforded the opportunity to vote using absentee ballots in our local election.
I once asked a friend whether he would vote for a candidate that is uninformed or apathetic with his needs and even our country. His answer is reminiscent of the Lawmakers who were voted into the Fono, he said "to do so is to stagnate, become irrelevant, even dry, and blown away". Lawmakers telling "Eni changes to election laws are from the Fono" is a welcome statement by the Fono Leadership, acknowledging they have accepted their responsibility and are committed to the people of American Samoa including all of their constituents in the United States Military. Regrettably, I know all to well, these words are hollowed at best and not worth the ink and paper it is printed on.
In March 2000, I wrote to every lawmaker both Senators and Representatives including the Governor and Lieutenant Governor who is currently Governor of American Samoa, urging them to change local election laws to allow service members to vote because we are TAXPAYERS to the American Samoan Government . I personally met with Governor Togiola in his office and other lawmakers in the Fono building on the subject. Unfortunately, I returned to duty sadden by the apathetical lack of concern for American Samoan taxpayers serving our Nations Military around the world. Despite the setback, myself and other service members have actively engaged Congressman Eni Faleomavaega for his support urging the Governor and the Fono to amend or change American Samoa election laws to allow service members to vote through absentee ballots for the local and federal elections. This led to Congressman Faleomavaega sponsoring the plurality law in 2004, a right we proudly exercised in last years election. In August 2006, I sent an email to the current President of the Senate urging him, since there is already a procedure in place to certify that military members are eligible to vote in the federal election, it only makes sense that the local law extend this certification, so that military members may also vote for the local governor, lieutenant governor, and house members via an absentee ballot.
My correspondence went unanswered and today despite Congressman Faleomavaega's attempts, our Fono's leadership was indifferent and unyielding by the argument that we are constituents and taxpayers to American Samoa. Sadly enough, the only lawmaker from American Samoa who is willing to speak for and defend our service members rights is Congressman Eni Faleomavaega.
Today, our Territory has paid a tremendous price with the blood sacrifice of our sons and daughters in this War on Terror to further the cause of freedom. Our Territory has suffered the highest death per capita in this War more then any State or Territory in the Union. The least our Governor and Fono leadership can do is to honor the blood service of our Samoan servicemen and women by adopting a resolution to allow our Troops to vote through absentee ballot, debate it, vote in favor of it, and have the Governor sign it into law.
Unfortunately, Fono members are against this bill and one has publicly stated "it is the Soldier's fault if he/she joins the military without appearing locally to register to vote". Incredible! I have a daughter who is scheduled to deploy next month to Iraq; a nephew and 15 personal dear friends of 32 years of active military service who have died in this War to bequeath the very freedom that gave him the right to say such a reckless, irresponsible, and immature public statement like this.
This may come as a surprise to you but we are actually fighting a War on Terror and service members of other States and Territories in the Union can vote in general elections on Federal, State, and Territory via absentee ballot. I think you owe an apology to every parent of all Samoan Soldiers who were kill in this War and every Service member who are currently serving to protect your freedom for that foolish and careless statement you made.
Additionally, this blatant disregard for our service members right to vote should be a JUST CAUSE for our Governor, Senators, and Representatives to change the present voting law on behalf of their constituents and TAXPAYERS who are unable to speak for themselves in the noble house of Paramount Chiefs, High Chiefs, and Representatives of our Territory, due to current obligations to the greatest military in the world. Great leaders and Giants of our Territory have spoken eloquently to champion resolutions that further the of Rights for our citizens and I have all the confidence that our current leaders will review these issues objectively and do the right thing.
Finally, I vehemently urge and encourage all military members (Active, Reserve, and National Guard) to write and send emails to the Governor, Senators, and Representatives of American Samoa to adopt and vote in favor of a new resolution to change the voting laws to allow us to vote via absentee ballot, or otherwise support the bill that Congressman Eni Faleomavaega is pushing through the US Congress. I fervently ask of your family members to do the same.
Respectfully,
Iuniasolua Tului Savusa
Cell: (49) 0162-271-7462
8/17/07
Letter to the Editor
"American Samoa students need NOT apply"
Dear Editor:
I just read about our Delegate's bill in Congress to provide ONE MILLION DOLLARS scholarships for Pacific island students. Wow, that's a lot of kupe!
Here's my trivia question: Which students need not apply because they're not eligible? You guessed it! Our own American Samoan students are excluded from Eni's Scholarship Program! What's wrong with this picture? I for one feel there is something terribly awry, sad and unfair when we send a Delegate to Congress over and over who seems interested only in getting scholarships and other benefits for everyone except his own constituents.
Very respectfully,
A voting constituent & parent
Send comments to admin@manuatele.net
Reprinted from Samoa News
August 15, 2007
"Faleomavaega's Colbert Interview"
Dear Editor,
I read Faleomavaega's press release about appearing on the Stephen Colbert Report show. You don't have to wait two weeks to see it down here. If you have a computer and are on-line, go to http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_colbert_report/index.jhtml and you can see Colbert's interview, if you can stand the embarrassment.
Frankly, I don't see why Eni would brag about it. If he wants to make a fool out of himself personally, sitting there without a coat in his trademark bolo tie, that's fine by me but when he allows his office to be demeaned and the territory to be ridiculed, he steps over the line.
That's why the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus told freshmen members to avoid doing this show.
Read about it here:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=22223
I guess he didn't give the same advice to senior members because he didn't think they needed it. With all these members of Congress avoiding the Colbert show, no wonder he got on.
Faleomavaega owes us an apology for holding American Samoa up to scorn.
Signed,
Enraged voter
I agree CSM. I think most of our leaders at are in it for themselves. I've gone home almost every year in the 18 years that I've been in the Army, and it sickens me that after all this time very little has improved, if anything. Maybe you should run for Gov. When you hang up your boots. Or even Congress. You would get my vote. I've deployed to combat four times in my career, and I've figured out that very few people other than our famlies and loved ones care about service members who pay the price for the freedom that everyone else enjoys. Good luck CSM.
Airborne All The Way
SFC Matautia, Fonoti S Jr
August 10, 2007
Absentee Ballot for American Samoa's Local Election
American Samoans in the US Military are Constituents and Taxpayers that should be afforded the opportunity to vote using absentee ballots in our local election.
I once asked a friend whether he would vote for a candidate that is uninformed or apathetic with his needs and even our country. His answer is reminiscent of the Lawmakers who were voted into the Fono, he said "to do so is to stagnate, become irrelevant, even dry, and blown away". Lawmakers telling "Eni changes to election laws are from the Fono" is a welcome statement by the Fono Leadership, acknowledging they have accepted their responsibility and are committed to the people of American Samoa including all of their constituents in the United States Military. Regrettably, I know all to well, these words are hollowed at best and not worth the ink and paper it is printed on.
In March 2000, I wrote to every lawmaker both Senators and Representatives including the Governor and Lieutenant Governor who is currently Governor of American Samoa, urging them to change local election laws to allow service members to vote because we are TAXPAYERS to the American Samoan Government . I personally met with Governor Togiola in his office and other lawmakers in the Fono building on the subject. Unfortunately, I returned to duty sadden by the apathetical lack of concern for American Samoan taxpayers serving our Nations Military around the world. Despite the setback, myself and other service members have actively engaged Congressman Eni Faleomavaega for his support urging the Governor and the Fono to amend or change American Samoa election laws to allow service members to vote through absentee ballots for the local and federal elections. This led to Congressman Faleomavaega sponsoring the plurality law in 2004, a right we proudly exercised in last years election. In August 2006, I sent an email to the current President of the Senate urging him, since there is already a procedure in place to certify that military members are eligible to vote in the federal election, it only makes sense that the local law extend this certification, so that military members may also vote for the local governor, lieutenant governor, and house members via an absentee ballot.
My correspondence went unanswered and today despite Congressman Faleomavaega's attempts, our Fono's leadership was indifferent and unyielding by the argument that we are constituents and taxpayers to American Samoa. Sadly enough, the only lawmaker from American Samoa who is willing to speak for and defend our service members rights is Congressman Eni Faleomavaega.
Today, our Territory has paid a tremendous price with the blood sacrifice of our sons and daughters in this War on Terror to further the cause of freedom. Our Territory has suffered the highest death per capita in this War more then any State or Territory in the Union. The least our Governor and Fono leadership can do is to honor the blood service of our Samoan servicemen and women by adopting a resolution to allow our Troops to vote through absentee ballot, debate it, vote in favor of it, and have the Governor sign it into law.
Unfortunately, Fono members are against this bill and one has publicly stated "it is the Soldier's fault if he/she joins the military without appearing locally to register to vote". Incredible! I have a daughter who is scheduled to deploy next month to Iraq; a nephew and 15 personal dear friends of 32 years of active military service who have died in this War to bequeath the very freedom that gave him the right to say such a reckless, irresponsible, and immature public statement like this.
This may come as a surprise to you but we are actually fighting a War on Terror and service members of other States and Territories in the Union can vote in general elections on Federal, State, and Territory via absentee ballot. I think you owe an apology to every parent of all Samoan Soldiers who were kill in this War and every Service member who are currently serving to protect your freedom for that foolish and careless statement you made.
Additionally, this blatant disregard for our service members right to vote should be a JUST CAUSE for our Governor, Senators, and Representatives to change the present voting law on behalf of their constituents and TAXPAYERS who are unable to speak for themselves in the noble house of Paramount Chiefs, High Chiefs, and Representatives of our Territory, due to current obligations to the greatest military in the world. Great leaders and Giants of our Territory have spoken eloquently to champion resolutions that further the of Rights for our citizens and I have all the confidence that our current leaders will review these issues objectively and do the right thing.
Finally, I vehemently urge and encourage all military members (Active, Reserve, and National Guard) to write and send emails to the Governor, Senators, and Representatives of American Samoa to adopt and vote in favor of a new resolution to change the voting laws to allow us to vote via absentee ballot, or otherwise support the bill that Congressman Eni Faleomavaega is pushing through the US Congress. I fervently ask of your family members to do the same.
Respectfully,
Iuniasolua Tului Savusa
Cell: (49) 0162-271-7462
"No criminals or felons in ASG"
Dear Editor,
It is painful and long over due to see when the system of check and balance inherent in our democratic form of government will be fully understood and applied in all levels of our American Samoa Government and our traditional/cultural political affairs. We have seen time and time again the corruption caused by incompetence, ignorance, and self-interest of those who are in position of decision-making at all levels of government. Even in our traditional-political cultural affairs, we continue to witness the short-mindedness, shortsightedness, and lack of pure conscience on the part of those who make decisions that would either bring shame or promote the integrity and pride of our people.
Despite all the ongoing public opinions expressed in the press/media, no one in our own local government is man/woman enough to stand up and say, enough is enough. Our public voice continues to fall on deaf ears. I would like to borrow a verse from the good book and it said, "When evil and bad people preside over the government, the people begin to moan and suffer." (Ua oi le atunuu) Our people in Tutuila and Manu'atele have suffered enough and it is time for the current administration and our Fono to start putting their campaign promises into action by serving their constituents instead of themselves.
I strongly believe in the "rule of law" where no one is above the law and the premise of mercy and justice cannot compromise each other. "Mercy cannot rob justice." If the law is ignored, then we will have anarchy where every man is for himself like the old west where lawless people used guns to safeguard personal safety and for protection of property. In our Samoan Culture and we tend to forgive someone with a serious offense after a ritual of public apology is accepted. But, in the public and political arena, one's life history, character and integrity is subject to scrutiny. Everything will come to bear either honorable or shameful in content. As in the infinite common creed in life without guile - "when we do something good, no one remembers, when we do something bad no one forgets." We cannot forgive someone for committing local and federal crimes even though they have been pardon by our local Governor or even the President of the United States of America. For the life of me, my own people of Manu'atele, what went through their minds in selecting a felon and a sex offender to represent District #1 of Tau, Faleasao, Fitiuta of Manu'a? TuiManu'a would roll over on his grave knowing what is happening to his political kingdom. People of Manu'atele and Senator President Lolo M. Moliga, awake! and understand that the integrity of our law making institution is seriously compromised, like that of the strength of the chain is at its weakest link. We must never allow these kinds of people to serve as law makers in our legislature. Lolo it is the leaders duty to preserve the honor, integrity, and creditability of the Senate and the House. In light of what is missing in the law, I challenged the Senate President and the House Speaker to propose a revision of Article II, Section 3 (qualifications of member) of the American Samoa Constitution to include language that will prohibit pardoned convicted felons from seeking public office. In Title 7 (e) of the ASCA (career service) sex offender is not included in the list of prior offenses or felony convictions as a basis of disqualification for government employment. Because of the way the existing laws of the land, we have a loop hole that allows for people with individualistic indulgence to take advantage at the people's expense.
This matter is not yet over, I ask the people of the "Faletolu, Manuatele" to take a hard look at the decision making process by their so called chiefs council if such a decision had garnered a popular opinion. If not, then it goes to prove that the selection process in place now needs a change. Our senate candidates will have to be voted into office. I am not sure if Mr. Vaitaautolu Liugalua had insisted and expressed his desire to be a senator or the district council unilaterally picked him as their representative. Which ever is the case, Mr. Liugalua has asserted his right as a citizen to pursue his aspirations in as much as the loop hole in law permits. On the other hand, the chiefs of Mr. Luigalua’s district were grossly shortsighted of the deplorable reflection on not only Mr. Liugalua but the whole district. I am sure there are a lot of good honest upright citizens in Manu'atele who are worthy for selection to the senate to represent Manu'a. Mr. Vaitautolu Liugalua, I am a "Servant of TuiManu'a" I would highly, strongly, recommend and challenge you to do the right thing; resign your position and go back and work your plantation in Tau, Manu'a. You have brought shame upon yourself, your family and the people of Manu'atele you are representing. The people of Tutuila and Manu’atele we cannot turn a blind eye on these important issues.
We the people of Manu'a and Tutuila must stand together and remove these criminals and felons out of our government political system. Our government leaders who have been elected by their constituents and villages, do the right thing, you need to serve the people for the people. Do not let the peer's pressure or the political legislator get to you. Do what is right morally and ethically, even if you have to go against the grain and stand-alone. I the "Servant of TuiManu'a" will stand with you! I would like to say to all ASG government leaders and employees our people have moaned and suffer enough we need improvements and changes, please stop the corruption! "enough is enough!" May God bless our government leaders to do the right thing as a matter of principle.
American Samoa please wake up!
Soifua
Savai'i P. Amito'elau
Olosega, Manu'a
TOP
"Sad reflection on minimum wage"
Dear Editor,
The cost of living, supply, and demand of items across the world are going up but American Samoa is still behind the eight ball with its minimum wages and cost of living. The American Samoan Government (ASG) leaders still don't get it that over the years low minimum wage increase has not been keeping pace with the increase in cost of living and the ever changing trends in the economy and the formidable life style changes with which majority of the people in American Samoa have been subjected. In a worse case scenario, a disparity has become evident in standard and cost of living and the quality of life between the rich and the poor. While ASG leaders and some employees are getting themselves a pay raise (annual increments) and over taxing the middle class and the poor, the rich continues to be rich and the poor continues to be poor.
In the case of American Samoa, the heyday of its complimentary relationship with the canneries has expired as Congress repealed section 936 incentive. For fifty years or less, the canneries have enjoyed corporate profits at the expense of low wages paid to their local workforce. Our government leaders seemed to have become complacent with the status of economic growth and employment opportunities for our people. On the other hand, the canneries have always been in control of its own business discourse with respect to taxes owed to the government. Our government leaders have been negotiating from an inferior position as the canneries would post a threat of setting up shop elsewhere. This has been going on for a long time. ASG leaders' knowledge of figures and the true facts regarding the canneries production and profit margin data has been speculative at best. Today, the cost of living and the standard of living have changed drastically and the current minimum wage needs an equitable increase for a decent quality of life for our hardworking people at the front line of the workplace both government and the private sector. Now the forum at the Department of Labor will feature a showdown between the Canneries and ASG leaders on behalf of three to five thousand workers in American Samoa. The issue of validity, ethics, and appropriateness of the process may become a concern. The fate of our minimum is left mercy of people who may be influenced by powerful lobbyist on behalf of the corporate interest instead of the best interest of the people of American Samoa. What assurances do we have that next set minimum wage by the forum would be in our best interest and relative to needs of our people?
In the mean time, people who are paid minimum wage are only able to make ends meet based on a traditional collective-communal principle (a cultural value) practiced by the ancestors which calls for family members to pool together and share resources. Such collectivism concept would only hold temporarily within the realm of the immediate family but most have discarded it as "practice of the past," as our people entrenched into the convenience of the cash and credit economy. However, as people's life style changes from supplemental subsistence living to a total dependence on wage and earning, the economic situation becomes more obscure and unpredictable. Most people in this predicament are prone to work two or more jobs in order to attain close to a minimal quality of life. There are still scores of families today who rely on the practice of collectivist model so they can afford the high cost of goods and services as well as the high interest rates at financial institutions. A slight breakdown in this collective system would result in a plight that would incur more financial difficulties. Compare this with the hypothetical scenario if the canneries decide to leave. American Samoa would suffer an untimely temporary disastrous economic setback. How long such suffering will last depends on a crisis intervention plan that government leaders would come up with and if the federal government finds it agreeable. The picture does not look decent at all considering our "high risk grantee" status and corruption in government. Businesses would go bankrupt, increase in unemployment, crime rate will sour, and the breakdown social order. The cost of the aftermath may far exceed the benefits that we are able to achieve with the prospect of maintaining the status quo, i.e., under the jurisdiction of the Labor Department’s industry committee to determine our minimum wage.
In the hind side, many have asked, "Is American Samoa financially prepared to take over the cannery facilities should Del Monte and Chicken of the Sea decide to leave?" The answer may be an astounding "NO". In as much as the federal government (DOI) has encouraged our ASG leaders to promote sound government practices, economic development, improve social welfare of its people, ASG leaders have fallen short of their responsibility to the people. For example, the 2001 Economic Development Study that contained recommendations that needed to be implemented in due course. To date, our leaders have not come up with a list of priorities for our government to pursue as a guideline with uniformed goals and objective for everyone to work together to attain. Often times, some our leaders have their individual personal and political agenda, self-serving interest first rather than the public agenda. When confronted with an unforeseeable crisis, a random disconcerted reaction becomes evident. If our leaders put our public agenda first, undoubtedly more can be accomplished for the betterment of all concerned. We have all been inspired by the words of President Abraham Lincoln, "Government of the people, for the people, and by the people." It appears that the meaning of these words have been skewed by some of whom we voted into office to suit their own purpose and desire.
In retrospect, we as people of Tutuila and Manu'a are grateful to some of our leaders for their selfless service and being good steward of the public trust and their legacy will perpetually afford them due credit and recognition they deserve. On the contrary, we as a people by enlarge are never certain of a leader's achievement/success rate between his/her personal agenda compared to the public agenda. On an average, a score of 50% attainment on either side can be considered commendable. If one's personal agenda achievement percentile far exceeds his/her public agenda while in office, we certainly find that unacceptable. The latter has become evident as we look around the social and economic infrastructure that lacked dire upgrade and attention in Tutuila and certainly in the case of the Manu'a islands.
At this time, the question of where our leaders should start needs to be confronted. In addressing our multi-faceted situation, we encounter the notion of the "chicken or the egg, which came first?" We have less than year to make a deal with Congress regarding some form of relief in place that would be agreeable to the canneries and our Government. Our government leaders need to be more responsive and accountable to the federal government regarding grants. Our legislature needs to be more aggressive in enacting statutes that will provide long overdue reforms needed to streamline government operations and promote economic growth within our local business community as well as to provide incentives to attract business investors from abroad. Ideally, Congress would like for American Samoa to become self-reliant with a sound and self-sustainable economy. For the last ten years, the feds gave us millions and millions of dollars and we have very little to show for. The return value (worth) in goods and services for every federal dollar spent on us still remains quantitatively questionable. Until our leaders make a list of uniformed priorities for American Samoa, we will continue to go around in an erratic direction like a boat without a rudder. We have enough educated minds amongst our people. Who among our educated can set his/her sight to envision the big picture (quality of life of our people and sound government) and has the courage to walk the talk without yielding to the influence of politics, self interest, and unethical behavior? It is notably sad to observe a shift in the public/personal character of some of our leaders with respect to their level of prominence and position in government. As we tend to our education and career journey, some would acknowledge that success is a direct result of one’s individual effort and hard work. Unbeknown to some of us is a change in our value context taking form and shape. Some become more individualistic in their orientation and perspective which focuses on "self". By entitlement to right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, some of our educated have succumbed to their human primal instincts to advance greediness, personal gain, and materialistic appetite in spite of their religious conviction. We have witnessed such a dilemma time and time again with our leaders in government. Couple this situation with the nature of our Samoan politics, the outcome is corruptive government at every level through and through. In recent years, abuse of public funds became prevalent in both higher ups and the rank and file levels of government. Making a change can be complex, but not impossible.
Our government leaders need to adopt the 2007 Democratic motto, "look out for the little guy." Someone once said that there are three kinds of people in life; "those who make things happen, those who sit and wait for things to happen, and those who wonder what happened." For some time our people have been waiting for something good to happen. Our leaders should take the stance of making things happen for the good of all concern rather than just for a few or for individual gain. We are reminded of the advice from Samuel Johnson, "The true Measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." It is my hope that the preceding passages may hit home with our government leaders and our people to promote positive political action in reference to changes that are necessary for the betterment of the people of Tutuila and Manu’a.
American Samoa, please wage up!
Soifua,
Savai'i P. Amito'elau,
Olosega, Manu'a
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"Teachers' pay raise long over due"
Dear Editor
The teaching profession is one of the most challenging, rewarding and most honorable occupations. A teacher prepares lesson plans, delivers curriculum, grade papers after class, puts up with in-class disciplining, and sometimes becomes a target of verbal abuse from students and parents alike. The United States National Board of Education conducted a survey in the public school system. The Board of Education study has found that the overall, public schools have invested 80% of the time and resources with disciplinary problems and 20 percent academics. No wonder our kids are scoring low in the national average academics. The biggest misconception of the teacher’s role in the class room is when the parents assume that the teacher is the disciplinarian of their children. The teacher is only reinforcing what should have been taught at home. Teacher is there to teach and disciplines your child mind and body academically. The American Samoa legislators need to look at our children's future, because our children are our future. Do we want the best-qualified, professional and quality teachers to teach our children or do we want the norm standard teaching educators? I strongly agree that a person can have all the education degrees in the world, but can he/she teach a single subject curriculum?
Every school system has a check and balance system in place. This is conducted at every school level and it's called the "standard performance evaluation" by the principals and vise principals of all school levels. The ASG at all levels could learn something from the Department of Education (DOE) on the "Standard Performance Evaluation" of their individual and collective committees. The people of American Samoa need to take a hard good look into our education system and the future of our children's education. The teacher's annual salary of $16,000 for a Bachelors degree and $40,000 for Ed.D/PHD degree is an insult to the intelligence and self worth of one whose educational preparation deserves equitable consideration. In order for American Samoa to attract good professional teachers locally and from off island, our local legislators need to enact into law a new teachers' salary scale that will eliminate three bottom grades from the baseline and add three grades on top to reflect the increase needed.
Dr. Poumele, the new director of the DOE needs to propose to the Fono legislators what will satisfy the financial needs of the teachers and educators in American Samoa. In the last decade, American Samoa has experienced a major "brain drain" where some of the top notch professionals have left our islands to seek better opportunities elsewhere. Our Department of Education has fallen victim of the brain-drain syndrome and our government leaders has done little to resolve the problem. DOE has lost most of its teachers to CNMI (Saipan), Hawaii, Guam, and to other local industries and private sector where salaries, incentives, and other benefits are attractive. Has ASG/DOE ever done a study on the brain-drain scenario? Why not? Any data will provide insights and ideas to address the problem and provide solutions in restructuring appropriate internal control measures that will reassure accountability, commitment, and investment vise versa between the department and its teachers.
Let me use the words in the Military Science curriculum program that is taught in our local high school it said, "It's not how smart you are, but how you are smart." Our children are our future, and every child deserves a good education. If we do not give our children best teachers and educators to educate their young minds now, we will pay for it later. Our teachers pay raise is long over due. Our teachers deserve the best not only financially, facilities and good moral support from our community. I would highly recommend the current administration and the Fono to expedite a pay raise for our teachers. We need to give our teachers something to keep them here in our territory. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless our teachers and the children of Tutuila and Manu'atele.
America Samoa, please wake up!
Soifua,
Savai'i P. Amito'elau
Olosega, Manu'a
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What happened to Manu'atele?
Dear Editor,
It has been over 103 years' since TuiManu'a Elisara and the local High Chief's of Manu'atele sign the treaty on July 1904 with the United States of America (USA). The terms and conditions of Manu'a treaty of cession were never followed up in due course by the people of the Manu'atele or the United States. In the guise of Tutuila's treaty of cession and the naming of two island groups as "American Samoa," United States' primary interest in the famous Pago Pago harbor for military purpose became evident.
It is quite apparent that the U.S. down-played its obligation to the social, economical and political welfare of the Manu'atele and subsequently, Tutuila became a secondary protectorate to Manu'a. And since, what has happened with the social, political, and economy system in the Manu'a islands has become very disheartening and shameful. In retrospect, it is hard to imagine what would have happen if Manu'atele and its people never came under the protection of the USA. We also can speculate what would have happened if TuiManu'a and the high chiefs had not signed. We must first look into the past history of the Manu'a islands and find out why?
First, it is safe to say that according to the ancestors and folklore myths stories that Manu'a was the first island to be created. It is also safe to say, that these entire islands were under the rule of Manu'atele, because Tau is TuiManu'as seat of government. Our islands were invaded by three foreign powers, the USA, British and Germany divided our islands among themselves.
Second, the USA could care less about the Manu'a islands because it had nothing to provide to support the war effort and economically in WW I & II. Tutuila Island was the only interest the USA had because of the Pago Pago harbor for a refueling point for the US Navy Pacific Fleet at the time. Now it seems that Pago Pago harbor is no longer needed because the US Navy fleet has move into the island of Guam. I believe this is the reason why there were two treaties Tutuila signed in April 1900 and Manu'a signed in July 1904. I believe the USA could only take the island of Tutuila, because Tuimanu'a had too much power of influence over Tutuila. Plus, there was a king and the USA did not want any uprise or obstacles from fulfilling its objective.
Manu'atele just had their 100-year celebration since the signing with the USA. What a great disappointment and disrespect to Manu'atele people and TuiManu'a. TuiManu'a was neither a "Manu" nor a chicken. The faipules and the outcast high chiefs who proclaimed they know anything about the word "SA"and "MOA" have disgraced the rest of the people of Manu'a. The flag that was raised on the 2004 Flag Day celebration is not a Manu'a Flag. Manu'a never had a Flag and neither did Tutuila until the early 1900s. Who ever approved the green chicken flag has brought a sad reflection on Manu'atele and its noble and honorable people. They should be banished from Manu'atele and never to return!
However, TuiManu'a did have a shield to recognize his power and authority over Manu'atele and other islands. TuiManu'a Elisara would not allow a foreign power rule over Manu'a with the title of TuiManu'a in place, because it was too sacred. According to the ancestors and fork lore myths stories, it was the Gods who gave the title of TuiManu'a. We could only speculate that the King of Manu'a felt the political pressure from these super powers and he foresaw the future of his people.
I would like to post a question to the people of Manu'a, what happen to Manu'atele, economically, social and political affairs? Who gave the authorization or permission for Manu'a and Tutuila's distinct political affairs to come together under one political entity (Amerika Samoa) when there were two respective separate treaties signed? "Some food for thought" - If there are two treaties, then we should have two separate government entities. Some genius in the pass may have thought the islands are small and in close proximity therefore it was politically, socially, and economically feasible to bring them under one government. But, there is something wrong with this picture; there has been no evidence to acknowledge the fact that Manu'a and Tutuila have two separate treaties that required a formal ratification either by Congress and/or our American Samoa legislature that would allow for such a merge. Therefore, I believe Tutuila and Manu'a should be two separate government systems.
American Samoa is also an unorganized and unincorporated American territory. The US Congress doesn't have any full control on how to run its affairs in American Samoa. American Samoa is like the America Indians with their reservations local tribal chiefs and their own nation in America. This is the reason why our territories are under the US Secretary of Interior. American Samoa is unincorporated because all terms of the United States Constitutions don't apply to American Samoa, and Congress does not dictate unilaterally what goes on in American Samoa. But, the US does regulate and control the funds that support our territories. Our constitution in place allows us to still have control of our communal lands, traditional customs and the fa'asamoa cultural affairs.
Congressman Eni has stated in the past that Amercian Samoa is an unorganized US territory. Meaning the United States Congress has not sign in to law the status quo of the relationship of ASG with USA and seal sign by a Congressional Organic Act. This is why the United Nation will not get involved with American Samoa affairs because we are still under the USA political umbrella protection. Therefore, the United Nation could not declare our island status of colonization.
Their needs to be two separate government entities one for Manu'atele the other for Tutuila. Maybe, Mrs. Amata Coleman would like to be Manu'a's congressional representative in Washington DC, because she receive most of the Manu'a vote this last election in 2006. Manu'a has received breadcrumbs after the bread is cut, speaking about the federal funds sent by USA taxpayers to run America Samoa territories on the annual basis. What has the past, present Governor's, Senator's, and House representatives done for Manu'a? These men and women have done nothing, but given Manu'a mare handouts.
Governor Togiola has really hit a bad note in my book when he said, "its time to build a medical facility station in Manu'a." Mr. Governor it's been 103 years, Manu'a should have receive more then just a first aid station on Tau and Ofuega. Manu'a has been a stepchild or been put in the back burner in the economical, school system, political and social affairs in the American Samoan territory. Some people might say it is the fault of their representatives or the people of Manu'a for letting it gone this far. The bottom line is nothing has been done for the people of Manu'atele. This is totally unacceptable that our government leaders have forgot about Manu'a. This really infuriates the Manu'a people for negligent of the pass, and present administrations, and ASG for not recognizing their political, social and economical status existence of Manu'atele. Yes, I do agree there are trying to improve the social, economical and school system in Manu'a. But in my book they haven't done enough. We all know the bureaucracy system takes an arduous and tedious process, especially, when we have incompetent, idleness, greediness, self-interest, corrupted, and criminals, running the ASG government system.
The majority of the members of ASG in the House and Senators are from Manu'a or they think their Manu'ans'. Most hold Manu'a high chief titles names. I would like to ask those individuals to return these sacred high chief titles names, because they have failed to support Manu'atele and its people. Tuimanu'a would have role over on his grave had he learned what has become of his people and Manu'atele. The Manu'an people have become second-class from Tutuila, and yet Manu'atele was first created. What has happen to the old culture and tradition that we must wait on Manu'a for a decision making process? I think in my humble opinion "Western Samoa still practise this tradition." Tutuila has lost this tradition and has become too Americanize and forget who Manu'a really is. I think the people who run ASG government know this, but they continue to ignore it.
America Samoa what are we going to do if the US tax payers stops the annual funds? What are we going to do to support ourselves and be self-reliant if these funds are terminated? Will Manu’a again receive fewer funds to support our islands? Some educated people might say, the USA can’t stop its obligations. The USA is obligated because of the two treaties and the sacrifice of the many lives our men and women who died in the past wars especially the present war on terror. Manu'a and Tutuila how many more lives of our men and women will have to be laid to rest so we could maintain the annual handouts from the USA? What do we have left to bargain with the big corps lobbyist in US Congress and the United States of America? American Samoa mark my words, when the Untied States of America no longer need us they will terminate the financial feeding tubes or reduce the annual amount financial support. Then the question will rise, what are we going to do? Get ready to exit the island for better living or financial obligations, because we want to continue to keep up with the Jones? Wake up American Samoa, we’re still in that deed sleep of self-interest, greediness, corruption and stupidity.
A wise man once said; "If you want to know your future look to your pass" American Samoa government hasn't learned a darn thing from its pass, except how to be a better-corrupted politicians. This is also the reason why we should separate Manu'a and Tutuila in two separate government entities. If corruptions is in the Manu'a set government then they will not blame anyone but themselves.
Manu'a needs to start looking deep in themselves and determine where she needs to go and move into the future? Do we need to be idle and wait for the freehand out from USA and Tutuila or do we want to move into the future with our own stable government?
I believe TuiManu'a Elisara never intended to sign with the USA, because Manu'a already had a social, political, economical system in place. But, because of the peer pressure from its neighboring islands traitors and the powerful guns of the USA, he had no choice, but to sign the treaty of surrender. Plus with the new super powers in the Pacific Ocean TuiManu'a and its people were no longer economically competitive on imports and exports, because steam metal ships moved faster, carry more cargo then a single sail double haul war canoe with a 10 to 12 men crew.
Manu'a needs to wake up out off that idleness of free financial handouts and start thinking about where they want to go into the future, social, political, and economically. We have a lot of educated good, honest, ethical, moral values people to run Manu'a affairs. We need to form a democratic government system for the people by the people. We need to explore other financial assistances other then USA. We need to enlist outside economical assistances on hotel resort business to improve the tourist system. We need school training to learn how to write grants for many programs for our school systems, health care providers, power electricity utilities, water utilities and factories. We need to learn how TuiManu'a use the Pacific Ocean on import and export on the means of trade through out the world.
Manu'a needs to have its own government system. This cannot happen until the people of Manu'atele want it in place. Maybe, it is too late to separate into two government entities, but the fact still remains the two treaties were never rectified into one government.
Manu'atele, please wake up!
Soifua
Savai'i P. Amito'elau
Olosega, Manu'a
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