Tired of Tonga and her problems [1]
Thursday, September 15, 2005 - 10:37. Updated on Thursday, October 2, 2014 - 15:50.
The strike is over, at least for the time being while issues are worked out and I have noticed the following. I am really tired of reading about Tonga and her problems, especially because of the politics that's involved. Hearing about Tonga is like listening to a very needy relative, as much as you love them; you still get tired of listening to them and wish for a little while that they would go away.
Here are my observations of what has been transpiring:
1.To be so-called 'educated' is really dangerous to the well being of the country.
2. Special interests are so evident.
3. Greed is being clothed by demanding fair play, but sadly it is obvious and it's downright pathetic.
4. The people are caught in a tidal wave engineered by a few, and many don't know how to get off, or are aware that they are being swept by this deadly wave.
5. Nepotism is as old as Tonga herself, hence the proverb "'Umu po'uli ka 'oku 'iai ho'ota". It was practiced in the old days; however, it is being abused in modern times.
6. Totally agree that the lower levels be given their 60, 70, 80 per cent raise, especially those who have never had a raise in five years or more.
7. Ministers should have accepted only 10-15 per cent raise, if anything. What they are paid right now is more than adequate.
8. Take a good hard look at middle management. I think this is where the abuse of power is rampantly exercised. Take a look at all the department vehicles that this segment uses. Look at the overseas travel and the fat per diem checks. Look at the favoritism that they exercise in their own little corners. I know that everybody is pointing to the top; but the bulk of the expenses is from this level.
9. Demanding the change in government, from this angle maybe the PM needs to grow up fast, be more mature, listen to advise from older and mature people rather than his little buddies. Maybe a couple of ministers need to go home and let more effective ones replace them.
10. What happened to "fofola e falanga kae alea e kainga". Tonga is still small enough to do that. PM should reach out to district officers, town officers, to dialogue, dialogue, dialogue. Not official like, but more like "kainga". PM should bring the nobles to dialogue and discuss issues that is affecting the communities.
11. It is imperative that Tonga pulls together and resolve this the true Tongan way, by talking, by listening, and by working together for the good of all.
12. I've noticed a lot of personal agendas being thrown in. Would be great if you could separate the issues. Some of the people who are leaders in this movement are either disappointed because they did not get jobs they wanted, or passed up for promotions. I've also noticed a few who probably imagine themselves to be ministers, sorry the number of ministers are limited.
13. People were hyped because this was a new experience. A taste of what they termed "freedom", not being aware that they were being manipulated and used. That's really sad.
14. All the so called educated people that were involved. There seems to be very limited foresight. Tonga is a very poor and small country. Hardly any resources worth mentioning. So who's going to pay for all this? If you spend money paying out these salary increases. Where's that coming from? The outcome is so simple and obvious that it's not even funny. Paying out the salaries demanded will result in laying off, combining job duties so that Government can survive. Maybe another option would be to cut off services. Guess who's going to be affected! You the people.
15. When the dust settles down what have you accomplished? You've demolished the foundation that Tonga was built on. Respect, compassion, community spirit, an infrastructure that took centuries to build, a sense of honor that made Tonga unique. Yes, granted Tonga definitely needs to change, and to improve; but what country doesn't? Jumping on this bandwagon is not the answer. It is change, but through dialogue, through consideration of everybody, all sectors, through drawing up and offering proposals. The so called "brains" should spend time evaluating departments, to come up with more economical and efficient methods of work, instead of passing the blame on to the people on top. Yes, they are at fault; but if you are a patriotic citizen, interested in the welfare of the country, then everyone should lift a finger to help. After all this is your country, so it would be a good idea to stop pointing fingers and do something, even at an individual level. Trying to tear down the infrastructure is not the answer.
16. But who am I to tell you all this. I am only good enough to donate my hard earned money to build your schools, your churches, help the hospital, your water supplies, village halls, funerals, weddings, birthdays, jubilee celebrations, bands, family obligations and every relative and friend who visits these shores looking for a fast buck.
17. So what have you learned? You've learned to demonstrate and to march and supposedly exercise your freedom of speech. Believe me, after hearing all your talk, especially from ex-ministers and frustrated wannabe leaders, sometimes silence is definitely "golden".
18. So you want to kick out the PM and ministers, who's going to replace them? Your PSA committee? Or your Temo party leaders? Talk about being stuck "between a rock and a hard place"!
19. You have made me feel like never donating to any of your causes ever again and never being involved in trying to help fellow Tongans. I am going to end here because I think I am wasting my time. You're just too hyped to listen to reason at this time.
Sincerely,
Mele Latu
A very disillusioned Tongan