Displaced Beachbums

Guam’s election season is at a fever pitch this weekend and the governor’s seat is up for grabs. According to the latest poll, the incumbent governor has a tough fight ahead.   Nothing new here regarding the way campaigns are handled except being on such a small island amplifies the intensity of it all and, personally, I’ll be happy not to watch one more  political ad on TV or see another billboard for a few years.  When I’m watching network TV, I’m so happy to see the cute Diet Pepsi guy strutting his stuff rather than another commercial for Prop B.  There is one positive to the TV ads. Since the people of Guam are so nice and courteous to begin with, even their negative ads aren’t bad. They come across as “disappointed” rather than mean. 

For those of you unfamiliar with the government of Guam: Guam is governed by a popularly elected governor and a unicameral 15 member legislature. Guam elects one non-voting delegate to the US House of Representatives, currently Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo. During U.S. Presidential elections, citizens in Guam vote in a straw poll for their choice of president but it doesn’t count toward the general election results. 

There are two propositions on the ballot here in Guam, both of which will result in big changes for Guam if passed.  Prop A will raise the current drinking age from 18 years old to 21 years old and Prop B will allow slot machines at the Greyhound Park.  There have been several lawsuits regarding the validity of the propositions. For now, they remain on the ballot but will no doubt be challenged after the elections.

Even though I’m not registered to vote here, I have an observer’s opinion: 

Prop A: I doubt this will pass.  On the positive side, it should galvanize lots of 18-21 year olds to get out and vote.  Unfortunately, when I read the weekly police blotter, there a lot of DUIs listed, the driver is usually OVER the age of 21 and they are almost always charged and released. I don’t think the drunk driving laws are strict enough and that should be addressed. In Germany, 16 year olds are allowed to drink beer and wine but with that comes the responsibility of not drinking and driving. The Germans don’t mess around: if you are caught drinking and driving then you DON’T drive anymore ~ period, no questions asked, no leniency!  That’s the way it should be everywhere.

Prop B: FM asked me how I would vote on Prop B if I was actually voting. I hadn’t given it much thought since I’m not a gambler and certainly will not be using the slot machines. I find them VERY boring. Give me a game of Texas Hold-em and I’m happy. After giving it some thought, I would probably vote yes ~ which surprised FM. The slot machines would generate a lot of revenue (ideally from the tourists who are already there gambling on the dog races) for the government which in turn is suppose to go toward education. There has been a lot of opposition by the churches and others who want to protect the person (s) who can’t control themselves and will gamble away all their money.  My problem with that argument is there’s already dog races and cock fights (legal) and dog fights (illegal) occurring. Are people gambling away all their money at these events?  Where is the outrage and protests from the churches regarding these two reprehensible practices? And really, much as we wish to regulate someone’s behavior, it will take other means to help an addictive personality.

I still surprise FM with some of my opinions ~ I’ve never been down the party line kind of voter.  Sometimes, I’m all over the ballot.

So that’s Guam’s politics in a very small nutshell.  Whatever happens, I wish the best for Guam’s economy and the people of Guam -they deserve a chance to continue making Guam a great place to live. It has SO much potential to be even more wonderful than it already is.