EVERYTIME Democratic Party and former Suruhanu chairman Tony Charfauros calls in to Newstalk K-57, Ray Gibson, who worships at the altar of capitalism, lays it into him by saying, “You Democrats will cry foul over privatization/outsourcing,” in reference to the former’s query about when the government will bring in revenues “since no one likes taxes.” (And no downsizing too.)
I think it is time for Democrats to work with Republicans in privatizing some of GovGuam’s operations like the Port Authority (Did Joe Mesa win in ’06?), Waterworks and DPW like the Office of the Insular Affairs recommended. If it is protecting government jobs so that those folks might vote Democratic, obviously it is not that simple. Plus when the DPC calls in, I don’t have to feel bad for him as he has done a good job. Under his tutelage, the Dems gained one seat in the ’06 elections and will take control of the Legislature a scant 20 months away. Also, the gubernatorial election is still in contention (and will always be at least in my mind).
Nationally, three Republican governors (even if they are all from blue states, California, Vermont and Massachusetts) are moving on health care boldly because they know it is a vote-getter, but also because their party has lost the moral high ground on national security.
I hope Gov. Felix P. Camacho with his medical doctor lieutenant will act just as boldly (or was the pairing purely for political gain like everything else?).
Then the Dems can work with the GOP on streamlining the fat, the lard, if you will, from the GPSS and other agencies. We’ll see who wants to protect government jobs that are not needed or set up to reward/buy folks in the last election.
I expect the Sunshine Democrats and some Republicans in the Legislature to not reduce the size and cost of government. If they do, more power to them. We also don’t need more holidays just as we don’t need 21 senators. Those days are OVER and it is those days that have led to these days of shortchanges.
As truth-searcher Travis Coffman of Newstalk K-57 said, “You have got to give me something like remove All Soul’s Day in exchange for MLK Day.”

MATT PHILIPS
Mangilao, Guam