Tia Belau Editorial, January 30, 2011 —-
January is coming to an end with voters still waiting to see who the candidates are. So far one person has publicly declared. Mr. Frank Kyota has declared his candidacy to represent Airai in the House of Delegates.
No candidates for the office of the president, vice president, and the senate have officially announced. These offices are elected nationwide so public announcement would be necessary to reach the wider corners of the island. Formal declaration traditionally, has never been considered strategic for a run at a congressional seat, but it is essential for presidential election to gain traction.
Many vying for the nationally elected office make their intentions known in private settings but prefer to holdout on public announcement until the number of candidates reach critical mass and ride its bang to the public’s eye. There are many reasons for this typical election year phenomenon. Candidates may have limited funds to conduct drawn-out election campaign; they avoid damage from the glaring headlights on the hot political issues early on; or they remain under the radar until after filing of election papers.
This campaign culture of candidates waiting to join a crowded field serves in favor of those running for elected office. It allows all type of candidates to slip into the race comfortably, without drawing the full weight of the public vetting process.
However, whatever works for the candidates means that voters are in for the negative consequences. So here are some important issues that any candidate should well be prepared for to address or for any voters to raise this campaign season
- Do you agree with the national emergency declaration for NCDs? Name one policy issue that would help in its implementation?
- Every person contemplating a run likely followed the current budget clash between House and Senate. Which side of the debate do find yourself in agreement with and why? And what would you give up on your side as a compromise, or is there any?
- What are your thoughts regarding the drastic increase for Jellyfish Lake fee? What do you think should have been the national government response?
- The last increase of minimum wage was over 13 years ago in 1998 during the Nakamura administration. What has been the issue holding up the minimum wage increase? Or do you take the side that government should let the market set its own rate?
- There has been no special prosecutor (SP) in position for 21-months and counting. The president joined by the senate majority believes that an approach that would be just as effective and saves money is to appoint an SP on a case by case basis. Do you agree?
- The national government is behind payment to HCF and Pension Plan. In case of pension plan, RPPL No. 8-10, which reinstated the mandatory 30-year service retirement didn’t help matters but only added to its mounting problem. Do you think we should be concern by all these development and why?
- The single year financial audit for fiscal year 2010 has not been released? What are your thoughts about this issue?
- Recently, there has been sudden increase of Bangaldeshi run stores all over town. Why are there no Palauans taking part in this economic trend?
- If you are going to cite one national youth policy that you would like to introduce or improve, what would that be?
- What would you do to address teacher shortage at public schools?
- With the increase of water and sewer charges, fuel prices on the up and up, and scheduled PPUC tariff increase, do you think there is something the government can do to help businesses and families cope in these economic times?
These are some questions, which you can easily expand with your own set of questions, to ask of the candidates as they come into the scene. Asking questions is not the only means to properly screen the serious from the not serious candidates. However, political change can only come when voters begin to taking their civic duties seriously and start raising the stakes for whoever aspires to lead.
