Ombre Ga’chong: Vote wisely if you’re tired of GovGuam failing your children


Lee Webber

By Lee Webber

What is the definition of an Ineptocracy?

According to a T-shirt I purchased: “A system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers”.

It sounds very similar to what we are currently seeing out of Washington, D.C. but also locally as well.

As we continue our march toward the coming general election it would also do us good to remember one of Ernest Hemingway’s great but very simple quotes, “Never mistake motion for action.”

One of the things we always get a lot of during election time is verbal motion or, the promise of change, out of those who are running for election or re-election.

They want the voting public to believe that all their motion/promises and activity leading up to the election are true and realistic indicators of the type of action they will be taking, if elected or re-elected.

Unfortunately, if the majority of their motion, platforms, promises and lack of real productivity, were any indicator, and were focused on the betterment of the majority of people on Guam, then Hemingway’s quote is Spot On!

Because of all things that are promised, very few, if any, ever actually get turned into “action”.

Let’s take a moment and look at the Guam Department of Education as an example.

A few weeks ago it was announced that some 17-18 public schools had not been inspected for safety and health clearance that would allow them to open on time for the upcoming school year.

This in spite of the fact that all charter and private schools had passed inspections and were ready to open.

This motion was followed by a shear stroke of idiocy when some folks at the legislature attempted to pass legislation that would allow the island’s children to attend schools that had not passed public health and structural inspection.

Then the governor, in her infinite wisdom came out, apparently from under a rock after some six years of seeing similar issues, and discovered this problem and asked to take over DOE.

Fortunately, wiser minds prevailed and that failed to pass as well or it would likely have created another problem similar to those facing the Guam Memorial Hospital, Public Health and Social Services and other government of Guam agencies.

What really needs to happen to the Department of Education is the Guam Education Board needs to stop doing nothing!

Establish policies for the leadership of the Department of Education that mandate the proper maintenance and timely repair of all public schools on Island.

Then, have the courage and ability to enforce them on DOE senior management who in turn must do the same for their respective school administrators and staff.

In the meantime, remember all this and more as you head to the polls.

Remember to vote for the people who you believe will work seriously to resolve this never-ending stream of perennial problems that have plagued our beautiful island home and horribly shortchanged our children for far too long.

Also, remember those who have been in office and not worked to resolve them as well as those who have.

Vote only for those who have proven capability and willingness to make the tough decisions to mandate positive and productive change.

Elect ONLYpublic servants” who are truly capable of, and committed to, working to make Guam better for us all.

Remember, when you vote, you are all alone in that voting booth where no one is watching (so choose wisely)!

Let’s make Guam Great Again!

Esta.

_____

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


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