By Charlie Hermosa for Kandit News & Views
Guam stands at a crossroads. Faced with pressing challenges like economic recovery, environmental resilience, healthcare accessibility, and infrastructure modernization, we cannot afford to let political divisions hinder our progress forward. This is not about the left or the right, it is about the people of Guam and our future.
Having said that, we must continue to bridge the gap between the government and our business community, primarily the small business community. Too many times I have spoken with owners who have mentioned that they must be very careful on what they do, what they say, and what political opinion they may have due to potential retribution by the government when it comes to contracts or rather renew their contracts. What type of message are we sending to the next generation of business owners? We must all come together as one community. We should not be afraid to voice our opinion or potentially share ideas on how to improve Guam even if it goes against big government ideology.
Partisan debates have a way of distracting from actionable solutions. When leaders and communities are consumed by ideological divides, urgent issues are sidelined. For Guam, this is a critical mistake. Whether it’s securing federal funding for infrastructure or addressing the impacts of climate change, success requires collaboration across political lines.
As the 38th Guam Legislature starts to take their position, the people of Guam deserve leaders who listen, who act, and who prioritize the island over political allegiance. This means embracing policies that reflect the unique needs of our island community, whether those policies are traditionally “liberal” or “conservative.” It means finding common ground and working together to build a better Guam for future generations. Let’s get the right people in the right positions.
As Guamanians, we have the power to demand unity. Let’s hold our leaders accountable, not for their party affiliation, but for their ability to deliver results. Let’s prioritize civic engagement and community collaboration. Together, we can redefine what leadership looks like.
