Editor,

We will be soon crossing over to a new year, I wonder if the PRs still have a few stunts left to entertain the crowd. If the answer is no then they should gracefully bow and make way for new talented actors to run the show. If the audience still prefer the PRs then they should askew themselves whether it would be worthwhile keeping them in the the long term.

In attempting to move on with life we must learn to accept the following term facts could help better the lives of individual families. Too much has been said about style of government and politics. I believe that it wouldn't do anyone any harm to sit and ponder the following:

1) That it is impossible to find a flawless government anywhere in the world. Even developed democracies still struggle at a great cost to maintain the democratic principles and notions that they have embraced. This should serve as a deterrent to small and developing island countries that rushing to achieve democracy is one thing, learning to understand and live with its ill effects is another thing.

2) Secondly we must accept that foreign aid and technical support will not continue in perpetuity. If Tonga is to slowly move away from our usual position at the receiving end, we have got to do better than just looting and destroying property to get our grievances across. Resorting to violence and aggression makes us no different than our leaders whom many claim to be corrupt.

3) Thirdly Tongans back at home should set their affairs and priorities in order. we must realize where to invest our finances and efforts. I personally still fail to understand how some have invited upon themselves too many obligations (kavenga) that are well beyond their ability to pay. Institutions like the church should cut back on their fund -raising to give families some breathing space and to focus on other pressing needs. Those in traditional leadership must encourage people to bypass obligations that are not important and discourage competition in fund raising events. The notion that "we can only give what we can afford" should be strongly instilled in the communities and villages so that people do not feel obliged to give as if there is no tomorrow. This would also ease the burden for relatives and families living abroad in terms of financing these occasions.

4) Faikava and merry making should be celebrated sparingly and not frequently as though we have all the time in the world to waste. More time and money should be invested in children's education rather than at the kava circles or at some lavish village function. If we want children to become caring and wise future leaders to govern Tonga, now is the time to instill these values rather correcting them later when they have assumed power.

I trust that what I have mentioned above will be read by readers in a positive light.

Freddy Kavaha'apai