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Written by Alonzo Kahalik
alkahalic6801@gmail.com
Dear Editor,
Leaders: Serve the people, not yourself
So on Constitution Day, I realize that in a small country like Palau, the relationship between leaders and voters should be one of mutual respect, transparency, and genuine service. However, lately, our leaders seem more interested in showing themselves on television and playing political games than addressing the real issues that affect our daily lives.
As we address the challenge of maintaining basic services like electricity, our leaders must stop preventing organizations like the Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) from doing their jobs. Continued political interference and underfunding are undermining these basic services. If the government is unwilling to provide the necessary financial support, then at the very least, the PPUC should be allowed to charge the actual cost of providing electricity. Instead, we are seeing leaders more interested in gaining political gain than ensuring our basic needs are met.
This year, my vote will reflect my deep dissatisfaction with the current leadership. For more than four years, we have been saddled with disappointment and unfulfilled promises. It is time for a change, and I will seek out new candidates who understand the importance of true public service.
Our current leaders keep failing us. They tax us, then turn around and pretend they are giving us rebates. But the truth is, those rebates are not enough. The Palau Government Stress Tax (PGST) is a prime example of this hypocrisy. The leaders who voted for this tax are now complaining about its impacts, yet they are the ones who imposed this tax on us in the first place. Do they even read the reports and data given to them? Or do they simply not care?
It is so frustrating to see leaders who only show up when they need our votes. They are invisible for the rest of their term, only to reappear when it is time for an election, enriching themselves on our taxes. This behavior is unacceptable. We need leaders who are present, who listen to our concerns, and who act in our best interest.
The frustration is palpable. We’re struggling to make ends meet, but our leaders continue to make decisions that make it harder for us to survive. They claim to be giving back to society through tax rebates and benefits, but they’re a drop in the bucket compared to what they’re taking from us. This cycle of taxing more and under-rebating is not a solution; it’s a burden we can no longer bear.
It’s time for our leaders to stop playing politics and start acting with integrity and responsibility. They must remember that they were elected to serve us, not themselves. They need to provide clear, honest answers about how to solve the real problems facing our country, not blame-shifting or empty promises.
As citizens, we must also hold ourselves accountable. We need to be informed, participate in the political process, and vote for candidates who are truly committed to serving the public. It’s not enough to simply complain about the status quo; we must take action to achieve the changes we want.
In November, I will vote against the current leadership. I will remember the past four years of neglect and disappointment. I will seek new leaders who are willing to do the hard work to make our country a better place for all of its citizens. Leaders who understand that their role is to serve, not to grandstand or play politics with our lives.
We need leaders who are not just spokespeople, but true representatives of the people. Leaders who are willing to make the hard decisions and put the needs of their constituents above their own political ambitions. Leaders who understand that their first responsibility is to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the people they were elected to serve.
It’s time for change. It’s time for leaders who actually care about Palau and its people. Let’s vote for people who are fearless and who actually listen to us.
I
Alkahalik
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