Shame on you, Matt Rector

by John Davis
Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice, shame on you, I just hope that door doesn't hit Senator Rector in the behind on his way out because immature behavior, breaking the law and upsetting voters won't get you re-elected.
Senator Matt Rector may have apologized for "tapping" Senator Telo Taitague inappropriately back in August, but what's even more alarming is he broke the biggest rule for human beings, he lied about his past. Wait, it gets worse.
Senator Matt Rector is now at risk of losing his seat in the 30th Guam Legislature because he thought he could fool the people of Guam, not just those he represents as President of the Guam Federation of Teachers, but the entire population of Guam, young and old. You don't have to be a lawyer to know that telling a lie is wrong, but if you're caught in the act you must suffer the consequences.
According to existing Public Law, candidates who are running for office are required to disclose all criminal convictions. If a candidate fails to do so, they are either removed from the election ballots as Ivan Carbullido was before the last senatorial election after he admitted to pleading guilty for committing a misdemeanor crime. Senator Rector faces a similar fate, should the Guam Election Commission choose to uphold the existing law.
After the information related to Rector pleading guilty for burglary some 20 years ago was brought to light during KUAM Primetime news, the senator and GFT Union President issued his own response. In his response, he compares himself to leaders like Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Huey Long. Senator Rector, neither you or I even come close to accomplishments these lost world leaders have made for their countries, shame on you.
Let's start with Gandhi because the good senator disrespects this cultural icon by spelling his name wrong. Mahatma Gandhi (not "Ghandi" as Senator Rector spells it) was a man who fought the denial of civil liberties in India. He occupied the centre of the Indian stage and was the hero of the great historical drama which culminated in the independence of his country. How dare you put yourself on the same pedestal as this man?
Gandhi was a promoter of non-violent, non-cooperation with the government, the only thing you have done is create a union that does not benefit its members and does not benefit the people of Guam. You secured Union representation for nurses, teachers, law enforcement officers and port employees, but these members pay a fee to be in your club and they have not benefited from it.
Lets travel from India to the United States and find out why Senator Rector should not be comparing himself to John Fitzgerald Kennedy (which is his full name because Senator Rector decided to call him John Kennedy) was the 35th President of the United States. He was the most beloved President in the history of our nation and Senator Rector, if you are going to compare yourself to John Fitzgerald Kennedy you must first ask yourself "Are you loved by the entire nation?" I didn't think so Mr. Freshman senator.
Before John F. Kennedy was elected President, he fought for his country during World War II as he served as a commander of a Torpedo Boat PT-109, did you even get a chance to see the movie? If you had the chance to see it or read about it you would know that the PT-109 was rammed by a Japanese destroyer, it was JFK that led his troops to safety. Have you fought for your country? Nope. JFK was a pioneer in the equal rights movement after he was elected as the 35th President of the United States of America.
Topping it off, it was JFK that said "Ask not what your country can do for you—Ask what you can do for your country." What have you done? Your efforts are not progressive like the efforts of those you mentioned because you only provide service to a select few and there has been no progress. Our nurses, teachers and first responders are all under paid, underfunded and over worked, what have you done to change any of it? Nothing.
The last person I take offense to Senator Rector comparing himself and his efforts to is Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was at the forefront of the civil rights movement as he fought to end segregation. He led 250 thousand people on a march on Washington D.C. where he gave his "I have a dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial. In his speech, Martin Luther King Jr. said "In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds."
Senator Rector, you are guilty of wrongful deeds and you owe the People of Guam an apology. You can start by submitting your resignation as Senator and GFT President. You broke the law and kept it from everyone, now that we know what you're really capable of do you still think people will re-elect you?
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