Post-election wrap-up
 

by Tony Blaz - 
KUAM's Political Insider
November 8, 2005

Election 2004 is now behind us, and you, my dear people of Guam have spoken. 

We have heard many theories about the results of this election, which swept the Republican party back into the driver's seat in the Guam legislature, and the "stunning" defeat of the Democratic senators. Some political analysts claim that the controversy surrounding the Chief Ishizaki confirmation and the injection of Carl Gutierrez into the political arena created a firestorm of sorts that got many of you to change your mind and sweep the Democratic senators out of office. Well, I have a different opinion about these observations. First of all, there is nothing stunning or surprising about the action of the voters. The people of Guam are very sophisticated and astute, we all know the pain and suffering that the elderly and retirees were subjected to when their supplemental annuities were stripped from them when their cost of living allowances were completely eliminated. 

Those of us, who witnessed these unfair actions, that were perpetrated on the most vulnerable people in our community, were insensed. This coupled with the unfair application of the 32-hour work week against the middle and lower income worker, the non-payment of salary increments for govguam workers, the implementation of the GRT increase, the sin tax, the raising of government fees like motor vehicle registration and so forth, the actions of the Legislature when they changed the rules of the game, when the game was nearly over on the Prop A issue, this strappling of voters rights was pure arrogance. All of these actions were certainly not lost upon YOU, the voter, and when the day of reckoning came, November 2nd, the day wherein all leaders come before us to account for all their actions, you, the voter, responded in a loud and bold voice that shook the very foundation of the 27th Guam legislature. I submit to you, there was no tornado that just happened that had such a profound effect upon the voters that caused the change we see today, 

I believe that you, the voters where simply doing what we always do every two years-we reward our leaders and we punish those whom we feel turned their backs on us. Let this be an important lesson for all of our leaders: Never forget that you are public servants, and you must serve your people- and not your people serving you. Never balance a budget on the backs of the elderly and the working people. Always pay attention to your people and be mindful of their pain and suffering. Consider all the consequences of any actions that you might take. People expect their leaders to make tough decisions not harsh ones. Our people take the responsibility of voting very seriously. Many thousands of them suffered in silence. They never complained because they realized complaining was useless. They did not assume the stance of a victim and nor did they engage in blaming, instead they took matters into their own hands and then exercised their right to vote, and together they realized the outcome_ we have today. Surprising-heck no -stunning, NO WAY. The voter was not surprised-they were satisfied and that is what democracy is all about. To paraphrase and old adage: Hell hath no greater fury like a voter scorned.     

Tony Blaz hosts "Positively Local", a radio talkshow on Isla61-AM everyday from 6-10am