Another one on this list of noteworthy government appointees is Telo Taitague from Bureau of Women’s Affairs to senator.
On Guam, it does not seem to matter what you do when you are in government service. Whether you identify with the Democratic Party or with the GOP, as long as you meet certain criteria, you will get elected either as senator or governor.Consider also Felix Camacho who vaulted from the Civil Service Commission to two-term governor.
For candidates who are tired of losing, here are some tips that you might want to use to get a better shot at winning for whatever office you might desire.
1. Family man/woman. Get married and if you are already are, scrub your personal record because there are nosy folks in and out of the media who will stop at nothing to poke around. Single folks are not as likely to get elected even though we have single senators in the legislature.
2. Businessperson. You get the business vote. If you are a business person, that will remove any suspicions that you are a socialist or a communist.
3. Military service. Contribute to the military in some form or fashion so that people will not say that you are not a patriot.
4. Align yourself with a machine. Either the GOP or Sunshine as they are the dominant ones. Even if you do not like them all that much, just hold your nose until after the elections.
5. Don’t rip the government. Even though bashing the government is a favorite past-time on Guam, if you want to win, you have to temper your words because government plays a larger-than-normal share of activities here, both at the local and federal level.
Talk about education, healthcare and public safety. Just repeat what the more popular senators are saying.
And do not touch self-determination issue. It is a divisive issue because, by its very nature, the question of self-rule is non-inclusive.
Plus, smile a lot, fix your teeth (no gaps when you smile). Put some makeup on to achieve a white complexion.
These last tips hold true anywhere, not just here on Guam and in the United States.
MATT PHILIPS
Mangilao, Guam
