Editorial: The Inkling

I am not a very political person, but since it is political season – as seen on television and heard on the radio every single day – I am now inclined to voice my poly-critical-views.Palau does have three “powerhouses” that run its affairs – not all of them are political. However, I think these days they ought to be very political. The powerhouses are the government, the church (all Christian congregations), and the proponents of Palauan traditions and culture.The government has become all too powerful, and the people who run it – despite being Palauan or Christians – have elected to keep it that way. The Christians and the proponents of the Palauan traditional culture have little or no say in what the government says or does – Palau is a “legalized” nation and laws are it.The government has so much power that it can dictate – and probably will – what the church and proponents of the traditions can and can’t do; and anyone who says otherwise, is likely to be charged, judged, fined, and even jailed.No one seems to be brave enough attempt to make a change or at least, take a stance. A decade ago, Angel Santos took a stance for the Chamorro people on Guam. He climbed fences, staged protests, but then he was elected a senator.What if all the Christians and the proponents of the Palauan traditions marched against the government? What public office would they be elected to fill and would they be silenced?Current political campaigns fascinate me – especially the eloquent speeches that foretell the future of Palau. All that seems to have gone wrong with government four years ago is surfacing. Fingers are pointed in every possible direction and everyone is blamed for this and that. And yet, the church and proponents of the Palauan traditions remain quiet.The church should publicly take a stand on its values and so do the proponents of the Palauan traditions.They should climb fences, stage protests, air their concerns on television and radio, and if necessary, go on hunger strikes.The government has been very successful – fruitful for those in it – and has not failed the people of Palau by law. On the other hand, the people have failed to keep the government in check; and the balance has been tipped. Put some more weight on the other side of the balance – go out and vote wisely!