Editorial: The Inkling

If you are perplexed by our government’s current democratic practices, you are definitely not alone – we are but a few of our leaders’ sheep. I speculate that the shearing has already been done and we are now being led to the slaughterhouse.By definition, you and I are free to elect freely – without restrain – any person to represent us in the government. Further, it is expected that the person we elect will work freely with other elected representatives to provide services that would make our lives better. We, by definition, are the majority.I cannot truly elect anyone of my choice into OEK – there exists a mandate, which prohibits a person from representing his or her people for more than 12 years – and neither can you.I am beginning to believe that the real majority of the people of Palau live in Ngerulmud and they represent a few of us. The public hearings have been just that – hearings. The studies have all been but experiments, which have ceased due to lack of funding. The sessions and leadership meetings, as portrayed on televisions, are like soap operas that never end – the dramatic acting is all too real.The primary and general election are nearing and I, like all the registered voters – including those who were unregistered and then reinstated by the majority – will vote for a new government and on amendments to our Constitution. I will have to choose 31 out of 100 candidates who have promised to serve my interests in the government. I will have to choose a president, a vice president, 13 senators, and 16 delegates – the majority decision-makers of our democratic country.I hope that you would do the same – better yet, that you choose the same candidates – so that in end you and would at least be on the majority side of the minority and not be enemies.I pray that all the candidates do as they say they will do before election – at least by then, I would know they are for real. I am hoping that they would instill in their hearts that which Adlai Stevenson said: “ Self-criticism is the secret weapon of democracy, andThat candor and confession are good for the public soul.”