By John A. Ananich II for Circus Weekly, Kandit News & Views
Cronyism is a parasite, feeding off the public’s trust and bleeding our resources dry. The problem isn’t just the corruption—it’s the cultural acceptance of it. People treat it like the rain, something inevitable and beyond control. But rain doesn’t erode the soul of a community—cronyism does. It’s a generational curse we’ve allowed to metastasize in our islands, infecting every corner of governance with whispers of “Who you know” instead of “What’s right.”
The pie analogy hits hard, but let’s not forget: pies can be baked differently. If the biggest slice—the silent majority—would finally wake up, take their rightful seat at the table, and demand integrity, we might actually change the recipe. The truth is, the people who’ve given up aren’t lazy or indifferent; they’re exhausted. And who wouldn’t be after decades of watching the same players rig the game?
But here’s the kicker: silence isn’t just apathy—it’s complicity. When we allow ourselves to be voiceless, we hand over power to the very system that mocks us. Cronyism thrives not because it’s clever, but because we’ve made it comfortable. It’s time to turn up the heat.
To those defending their cronies with “it’s not technically illegal”—spare me. That’s like justifying theft because the lock was easy to pick. Public trust is sacred. When leaders grease the wheels for their buddies, it’s not governance; it’s grift. The system isn’t broken—it’s being sabotaged by those who treat public service like their personal vending machine.
And let’s be clear: no party is innocent. Both sides of the aisle have dirt on their hands, and the first step toward accountability is calling it out—loudly and relentlessly. If we don’t, the only thing we’re leaving for the next generation is a deeper hole to climb out of.
Cronyism isn’t a victimless crime. It costs us better schools, safer roads, and functioning hospitals. It steals not just money, but hope. The choice is simple: keep letting the few feast while the rest of us starve, or pick up a fork and fight for our fair share.
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John A. Ananich II is a local small businessman, U.S. Army and combat veteran, former Guam Police Department officer, and resident of Dededo.
John A. Ananich II is a local small businessman, U.S. Army and combat veteran, former Guam Police Department officer, and resident of Dededo.
1 Comments
Paul Tobiason
01/04/2025 at 5:16 PM
Thank you for bringing up this issue. You are right. Just being quiet allows the “virus” to continue.