Here we go again…elections for the FSM Congress is in March 2015. Yet I’m already experiencing a mild case of CPT (Chuukese Politics Tiredness). My poor little region of the Northwest comprising of the remotest islands in the Pattiw, Pafeng, and Namonweito groups with our ONE seat in the FSM Congress is showing an early sign of another embarrassing and uneventful campaign season. You would think that given our strong faith, our adherence to the best of our traditional values and cultures of respect and communal peace…that we would be the most unified and the least divisive among all the other regions in Chuuk. Sadly, we seem to have the most candidates scrambling over each other to become the next BMOC (Big Man Offering Cash) from Palikir. Here are some reasons why I am 900% in CPT mode:
I am 100% embarrassed to know that our one representative in the FSM Congress won the election with only 29% of the voters. And that’s because four self-centered men somehow claimed they had what it took to beat the incumbent who controlled all the public funds.
I am 200% tired of candidates who seem to have no profound reason for running for office other than their own selfish desire for status, upward mobility, a better paying government job, and being considered important.
I am 300% tired of hoping after hopes for real leadership to emerge who have new visions and plans to seriously address long-term needs of our region in education.
I am 400% tired of watching congressmen use the office of the Congress to become a piggy bank for personal wealth and a tool for useless, divisive, and simplistic approach to solving deep rooted social and educational problems in our regions…at the expense of our children’s education.
I am 500% tired of witnessing politicians after politicians succumbing to constituent’s request for short term projects that help the politician’s re-election, but do nothing for long-term sustainable educational solutions that set up the children of the Northwest to success when we adults leave this world.
I am 600% tired of having this beautiful concept of democratic elections continue to destroy the social fabrics of our traditional cultures, divide families and clans.
I am 700% tired of supporting candidates who call themselves Christians yet forget to exercise their Christian duties to help the most vulnerable members of our society…the children…who have no power to vote yet bear the brunt of our unethical practices and decisions.
I am 800% tired of seeing candidate from the Northwest say they support education without having any proven records of ever addressing educational reform efforts for the region then and now.
I am 900% tired of our people continuing to be fooled by unscrupulous candidates who ask for their votes then disappear into their protective cocoon of self-importance.
What little energy that remains in my mind, heart, and soul is the sliver of hope that God can continue to work in our midst to change hearts and guide our minds. Surely, there must be some hope whether we choose to run for office or choose who to represent our aspirations in the FSM Congress. Today, more than ever we need healers, visionaries, leaders to step up to lead and vote…and fewer politicians.
