FOR far too long, the elite on Guam (Republicans and Democrats) have kept wages down while rewarding their “psychophants” with plush government jobs and lucrative contracts, almost forcing everyone to become beholden to the powers that be.
Both Atty. Mike Phillips and Police Chief Paul Suba alluded to the starting pay issue for policemen at around $7.76 to $8 (Breakfast Show, Newstalk K-57, Jan. 19.) Now, why would anyone want to go through the requisite training and put himself or herself to public scrutiny at $8/hour when you can be a security officer for about $6/hour? Everyone can see the bubbling up of compensation talk and can attribute that to one small thing: minimum wage.
No wonder why some folks detest this issue because of the spillover effect it has on other positions. Moreover, this also brings into question why the governor took the COLA class to court. The disparity between some of the recipients shows the ugly side of Guam’s political state where many toil in low-paying positions while a few receive obscene amounts because they KNOW someone at the top. All of this would have been better left in the dark.
Lastly, it should be no surprise why many folks don’t respect higher education because they can get what they want from the crooked and crass politicos, the lieutenants and colonels, whom folks have to go through before you see the “mafia don.” So it is not merit but no-merit that seizes the day. Come to think of it. Isn’t that who wins elections? The “worse” candidate comes out on top, instead of the cream of the crop.
But we should not fret. It is like that in the States as well. We want liars and murders to sit in the White House.

MATT PHILIPS
Mangilao, Guam