There shall be a Tongan aristocracy [1]
Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 10:25. Updated on Thursday, February 5, 2015 - 21:25.
Editor
If I was born with Mr. Fifita's distinguished pedigree, I too would believe that God had shined down on Tonga. What do nuclear weapons have to do with an insurgency and civil war? If the end is near why are Royals and Nobles fighting so hard to stay in power? Andrew, I am a slow country commoner, please skip the fancy metaphors, rhetoric, and fallacies. Try to keep to some facts.
Just a short history lesson, America was founded by Christians seeking to escape religious persecution by a tyrant king.
Since you ask, yes I am quite comfortable with my God.
Could the honorable Mr. Fifita cite a reference, the Old Testament, New Testament, Koran, Book of Mormon, etc...that says how "God himself has put in place" Tonga's aristocracy?
I agree that Tongans choose to respect and love their monarchy. Not because the monarchy represents God but because they were raised to idolize the status of the aristocracy and to know their place within society. During the days of George Tupou I and Queen Salote Tupou III, I'm sure the people were proud to respect the royals.
Maybe God has seen fit to make some changes in Tonga since the aristocracy has been abusing power and authority. Maybe God has heard the cries of the common Tongan, the meek, the poor and the unfortunate. I wouldn't be surprised if God is preparing the island for some major changes.
As far as quoting scripture, let's keep it simple, how about the 8th Commandment, "You shall not steal". Have the royals not stolen Tongasat (Forbes estimates US$55M) and Shoreline (buy back at $60M) from the people? What about the current government debt of $187M? Wow, that's $250M or $2500 for every man, woman and child in Tonga. We don't need to get into the price of gas or electricity, but the stealing is rampant. Why does the royal family have lavish homes in Tonga, NZ and USA while there are roads in Tonga that are not paved, many villages in the outer islands without running water, many family homes still use outhouses instead of in-house bathroom/toilets, etc. I guess we can excuse the Royals from this commandment, their being close to god and all.
Tonga's democracy will be built on sacrifice and loyalty to God, Country and Family. Not the aristocracy.
For those of us who are slow and need help being impressed, can you please provide us with a glossary for all of your distinguished titles (JP APM KTSM ACSC). Maybe it's just a Yankee thing, you wouldn't understand.
Thanks, Joe