Tonga's violent quake - world's biggest in over a year

Earthquake - a requiem! - Mele Payne Lynch
Some people believe the earthquake in Tonga was an omen since it occurred on Prince Regent Tupoutoa's birthday. In my opinion, not only it is a natural disaster it is a requiem and a seismic movement calling attention to the historic fault line of royal culture and creed. The royal family and the government may have to readjust their lenses and treat this incident more as a potential means for reconciliation than a source of conflict.

Since my last article, I received a great deal of email correspondences with many opinions. One common thread however was the unwillingness to debate the issue openly in order to find answers to some hard questions being raised. The fearfulness and submissive respect for those in power will not help our effort to be fair, provide constructive ideas and help prevent some serious and avoidable mistakes. Others who emailed me are clearly benefiting from the current system and tend to generalize that people in Tonga, contrary to popular belief, are doing just fine and are getting by quite comfortably. They seem to feel that because we do not have the inside stories of the royal family parallel with never hold the highest jobs in government, we cannot possibly understand the issues and how deals are being handled. However I would like to point out, we do not have to live in Tonga, be royalty, or be religious to know what morality is, how people ought to be treated, encourage and strengthen towards the right behavior.

What is perhaps most perplexing is why a country with a population of 110,000 would accumulate so much debt. What is also obvious is the lack of rhythm and harmony in the royal fortune and the government's debt. Yet, the people living in Tonga are not willing to pursue answers to why the royal family is so prosperous while the majority of people in Tonga have to get by with minimal wages and essential financial help of their relatives living overseas.

There also seems to be remarkably little concern or discussion about what is promised to repay the large debts. Most lenders want something of greater value to back up all loans so that even in the event of a default, they are guaranteed not to lose. What exactly are the people of Tonga going to have to deal with in the event that the loans are not used wisely or are simply used to further enrich the wealthy royals? Are we so naïve that we think only the royals and lenders will be hurt by any mistakes and misappropriation?

It is said that in a democracy, people get the government they deserve. That is meant in both a bad way and a good way because there are often times bad governments. At least in a democracy there is a way out when there is a bad government. There is the rule of law and the ballot. In Tonga we may also have the government we deserve. Perhaps we can learn to deserve better by being critical, having an honest debate and doing it in the open without being fearful.

Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Mele Payne Lynch - Moss Beach, California, USA