Some of us refuse to admit that we are basically working to make ends meet; and more often than not, praying that none of our relatives die on a non-payday weekend – the cost of the dead has skyrocketed.
The cost of living, many say, has surpassed the average earning of the majority of Palauan households. I think it is so. I might as well add that, on the same token, the cost of caring for the dying and the dead left planet Earth 20 years ago – the hospital bills, funeral costs, and even the catering services costs can put a huge dent on relatives’ budgets. These days, the amount of money spent on a supposedly “good” funeral is enough to pay the salary of a beginning teacher for at least two years – taxes and other deductions included. The dead are outspending the living.The government, on the other, has perfected the art of finding money and then placing it where it is not needed. For example, $3 million has been given to PPUC to defray the costs of its operation; and in doing so, helps the poor from collapse. To date, no is quite sure as about the number of people who deserve the benefits – as mandated by law – but many agree that those who use the power most are not the affluent. Rather it is those who are not home most of the time. Suppose someone divided the money amongst the real needy, PPUC would have received adequate payments of bills on time, and paper would have been saved.The government is also aiming to improve health. Proposals for some sort of a schematic health insurance is being tossed around. I wonder why? Palau established an insurance plan a long, long time ago that covered just about every aspect of a person’s life. It is called Palauan Tradition – caring for the person who is sick, old, troubled, needy, and the foreign I want free health coverage for all the people just as Canada and countries in Europe have. Let us do away with the pension plan – this is one of those things, which would eventually severe the bonds that hold extended families together. Divert individual contributions to cover everyone’s health. I certainly would be grateful and humbled to know that each person in Palau is contributing to keep everybody alive.You and I must be Palauan at heart. Do not think or even feel Palauan – be Palauan. You may think foreign thoughts but do Palauan way. . . lend a helping hand. Cut your neighbors grass and the presidents will march right back! Make Palau a better place! Give a little!
