By Lee Webber
As we approach election season – and watch to see who it is that will belly up to that fat sow called the government of Guam – it brings out the best and worst in people.
It also opens the door for political jokes, verbal and otherwise. Or, as Henry Cate VII said, “The problem with political jokes is they get elected.”
If you look and listen closely enough, you will find that in a number of cases he was correct.
Or better yet, as Aesop said, “We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.”
Take a moment and look through public records to find out how many politicians enter public office with far less money than they have when they leave.
As a voter, if you have taken the time to consider the pressing problems on our island in the areas of education, health and public safety my guess is that you have come away scratching your head.
How many years has it been since the plan to replace Simon Sanchez High School has been kicked around by elected officials?
Or what happened to the inspection of public schools for health and safety issues?
When was the last time there were no problems with the Guam Memorial Hospital or the Department of Public Health and Social services?
Then ask yourself, when was the last time you remember government-run health care being run properly without significant financial, staffing and accreditation issues?
Better yet, was there ever a time when the government-run health sector was without significant problems?
What about our Guam Police Department and the perennial problems that have plagued that organization?
We lose good police officers faster than we can recruit them.
Speaking of recruiting officers, it has become continually more difficult to find officer candidates that can pass the physical, mental, drug and background checks let alone graduate from the police academy.
Add to that the reality that we lose those officers who do pass all the requirements and complete the training to other agencies that hire them away for higher wages.
Can you recall when it was called the Department of Public Safety and encapsulated both fire and police departments in one? Ever think about why it needed to be split up?
What about the Department of Corrections? In what year did the current facilities first become crowded?
Whose responsibility is it to ensure that these arms of the Department of Administration are maintained and operated within accepted standards as opposed to standards we have come to accept?
Since we are talking about politics and jokes here are a few more to brighten your day:
“Politicians are people who, when they see the light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel.” John Quinton
“I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians,” Charles de Gaulle
“I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them.” Adlai Stevenson, campaign speech, 1952
“A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.” Tex Guinan
“Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.” Doug Larson
Or that great American commentator, Will Rogers when he said, “There ought to be one day – just one – when there is open season on senators.”
“When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I’m beginning to believe it.” Clarence Darrow
All jokes (some two-legged) aside, wake up folks and stop electing people who make empty promises. Hold politicians’ feet to the fire. If they do not do what they claimed, don’t re-elect them.
Let’s make Guam great again.
Esta.
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Lee P. Webber is a businessman and civic advocate, the former publisher of the Pacific Daily News, a former president and publisher of the Honolulu Advertiser, and a former director of operations for USA Today International/Asia
