Stalemate as Tongan national strike continues

Government out of touch - Tama Foa (Tevita U. Langi):
THE government…’s response of threatening to terminate employees for their violation of the Civil Service Act of 2003, is the sign of a government who is getting way out of touch with its people.

It seems the Government has hunkered down to play hardball with an attitude of “Negotiation Is Bad!” What a shame!

It is also a shame that any of you read my incoherent babblings, that I have no shame of doing. I have said many things, thanks Matangi Tonga, that raise many readers…’ blood pressures. I also receive many of your emails about my diatribes. I don…’t blame you. I would rip myself apart too, if I was reading my own writings. That…’s why I don…’t do it.

I want to share with you some of the writings of famous people who have pondered about their own governments. Hopefully, you get to rip them for a break.

“It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.” - John Voltaire

“It is the absolute right of the state to supervise the formation of public opinion.”
- Joseph Goebbles (Master propagandist of the Nazi regime)

“What good fortune it is for governments that people do not think” - Adolf Hitler

“Bow down before the one you serve. You’re going to get what you deserve” - Trent Reznor

“To oppose corruption in government is the highest obligation of patriotism”
- G. Edward Griffin

“Government is not reason. Government is not eloquence. It is force. And, like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” - George Washington

“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out…without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, and intolerable.” - H. L. Mencken

“Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of government. The history of liberty is the history of resistance. The history of liberty is a history of the limitation of governmental power, not the increase of it.” –Woodrow Wilson

“By definition, a government has no conscience, sometimes it has a policy, but nothing more.” - Albert Camus (1913-1960)

“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.” - Harry S. Truman (Former US President)

In conclusion, I want to leave this quote with the members of the PSA:
“Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have” - Davy Crockett

To the Kingdom - Tevita U. Langi

Stand firm in your beliefs! - Kisione Tonga:
As a Tongan far far away from home, I like to keep track of all the happenings of my island kingdom, which was made possible through the Matangi Tonga.

However, it is exasperating to read in the Editorials all these bickering back and forth by people who don’t even have the courage to identify themselves and hide behind false names.

Please Mr Editor, I would like to read more constructive ideas / comments / opinons from those who really care and are bold enough to identify themselves.

My sympathy and support goes out to all those striking civil servants. I have been a civil servant of Tonga once and I feel for you my fellow country men! May God bless you all and grant you the courage to continue to stand firm with your beliefs. “United We Stand!”

‘Ofa atu - Kisione Tonga

Be part of the solution - Siosaia Moimoiangaha:
My dad used to say to me, “Our actions determine whether we become part of the solution or part of the problem.” And while this is a multidimensional, somewhat complex statement, deep down, I think it’s absolutely true. Often, we are indeed either part of the solution or part of the problem.

There are times when you may be part of a certain solution, but by the very nature of what you’re doing, you become part of a different problem. Starting a business helps create jobs and contributes to certain needs. On the other hand, you might be creating all sorts of other problem: salaries, traffic, parking, the heavy use of natural recousces, and additional pollution, to name just a few.

Even something like the decision to have a large family has its own pros and cons. On the one hand, you are part of the solution in terms of bringing more loving, capable people into our world. However, you’re part of the problem in terms of increasing our already large population.

The real point, however, has to do with the day-to-day, moment-to-moment choices we make and the way we live our lives. For example, if you choose to keep your consumption at a reasonable level, conserve energy when it’s practical to do so, and recycle as best you can, you’re part of the environmental solution. If you couldn’t care less, and you leave all your lights and appliances on, even when you leave the house, never recycle, and so forth, you’re part of the problem.

If you are able to do so, and you contribute at least some portion of your time, energy, or money to a farorite cause, church, organization, or charity, then you’re part of the “reduce suffering” solution. If your only concern is your own wants and needs, you probably aren’t much help in this category.

Respect

In a general sense, if you treat people with respect, run an ethical business, pay people generously, forgive easily, take responsibility for your own actions, and admit when you’ve made a mistake, then you’re part of the solution in terms of creating a kinder, better, more ethical world. If these things have no value in your mind, well, then you might be part of the problem.

All of us are a part of certain solutions and a part of other problems. The value of reflecting on this issue is that it gives us a chance to take an honest look and to asses where we are in terms of your own contribution to humanity, compared to where we might want to be. Personally, I’ve found that it can be a real eye-opening exercise and can encourage some really powerful, positive changes in one’s life.

I brought up this idea during one of my talks at a church fireside. After the fireside, a man came up to me and said, “I want to thank you for bringing this issue to my attention>” He said that while he has always thought of himself as a really nice guy and “quite generous” the truth was that he was giving away less than half of 1 percent of his income. He said, “I wasn’t being ungenerous on purpose; I simply hadn’t thought much about it.”

Self-assessment

I’ve had similar insights about my own life. For example, while I’m careful not to waste certain resources, I’ve discovered that I can be quite wasteful in other areas. Because I’m now more aware of it, I’m working on becoming less a part of those problems and more a part of the solution.

Personally, I think this strategy can play an important role in self-assessment. It’s not a big deal, and it’s not meant to make us feel bad, guilty, or inadequate. It is there, however, to give us a chance to decide for ourselves whether we are part of the problem or part of the solution and whether we want to do something about it. I’ve found that my own stress level has decreased and my happiness has increased as a result of knowing that I’m doing the best I can to be a part of as many solutions as possible.

‘Oku ou faka’amu pe ketau lava ‘o hanga atu ke ‘ilo pe ko ‘etau ngaai feingaa, ‘oku ma’u ai ha lelei fakalukufua?, pe ‘oku ma’u pe ‘a e fiema’u ka ‘oku ne fakatupu ‘a e faingata’a ‘oku toe lahi ange. - Siosaia Moimoiangaha

May justice prevail! Way to go PSA! - ‘Ofa-he-Masiva:
Reading the other letters to the editor and listening to audio streams from the internet direct my attention to what I prefer to call: Silence of the Church!.

The Church as the Christ-Body needs to be Christ-like, expressing Godliness in social services, especially to the poor and outcasts of society.

Often times, some cling to an other-worldly image of the Church, forgetting that the Church was called to serve God and others here and now. It is socially situated and has a mission to the society in which it is located. Its service to God must always go hand in hand with responsibility to others. This responsibility is neither a pulpit-confined duty nor a mere verbal nonsense, but active participation in the affairs of the people who suffer injustice, rather than praying silently in comfy zones. It is about being with the people, crying with the people, and celebrating with the people when liberation comes, when justice is served. Where there are no people, there is no Church.

Salute

Noble MPs have set an example in showing their support for the grievances of their subjects. The Bishop of the Roman Catholic church and a few others have been with the people all along, and I salute them.

While most of the PSA strikers are adherents of the Free Wesleyan Church, its leadership ignored them in time of need. Being too busy with conventional religiosity is not an excuse for neglecting his call to preach justice in speech and in-deeds. These people are the ones that donate annually to the misinale, host the many fakaafe, pay for the financial debt of the Church and the me’a’ofa for kau faifekau/setuata. They are also the ones whose backs have borne the marks of oppression in hands of Government, and abuse in the hands of the Church [and I do expect reaction to this point]. If some questioned the socio-political responsibility of the Church, let me ask a question Bishop Tutu once asked: “Whose Bible are they reading anyway?”

The FWC President confused his charge as shepherd to God’s flock with his high salary post as royal chaplain. His positions on previous public protests in Tonga are clear evidence of his confusion. Royal Chaplaincy has devalued the prestigious duty as keeper of God’s people. He was called to speak for God and God’s people, yet “mouthless” when he is needed have one. He was called to be with the people, yet showed himself as friend of the rich and powerful. If I were him, I would have resigned from my royal duty for I am not honest to my call, I am silenced, and so does the Church!

The Church and its leadership need a mouth that can speak, hands that offer help, and hearts big enough to love those who need love and justice. - ‘Ofa-he-Masiva

Impressed with support for PSA protest - Diana Tamale:
I am a Civil Servant for ten years in the beautiful Bay Area. I am fortunate to work with a great union and its leaders. Believe me, we do have our own struggles, but we have the support of our union. I know that I can count on my union at anytime.

I am very impressed with how the PSA leaders handle the situation, how the civil servants give their 100% support, how the students stand up for their caring teachers, how the people of Tonga support your cause, and how you are all protesting peacefully. This is a testimony that our little planet was giving back to our Creator.

I am sad because I am not there to stand together with you and ask for what you all deserve a SALARY INCREASE!

Kudos for a job well done by the Matangi Tonga, my family is well informed because of you. - Diana Tamale