Editor,

Please allow me to whine for a few seconds regarding this potential fiscal crisis that is looming over the kingdom. No, it is not the crisis that I am bellyaching about. I cannot say if it is the oath of loyalty and the veil of confusion and apathy that governs Governmental Operations or the incompetence at the helm that is grinding my last nerve. Norman Schwarzkopf once said, "When placed in command, take charge." I may be wrong like I always have been, but I do not think there is a whole lot of taking charges in our government.

Remember that stratospheric 60 to 80 percent pay increase last year? The chickens are coming home to roost. His Honorable Finance Minister, Hon Siosiua T. 'Utoikamanu's statement, "This is not an ideal situation because reducing Government expenditure often hurts the poor," really insults my third grade GPS education. Why couldn't he say, "We goofed big! We knew we didn't have the money to pay for last year's hefty pay increase nor will we have it in the years to come. You people just have to suck it up because we are the Government. And, forget about the poor. You, no school, you poor people! We have no money for you!" Had he said this, I have no grounds for argument. Their actions have spoken louder than their media time to cover their tracks.

When the Government made its decision to give the civil servants their huge pay increase, the fate of the poor was pretty much sealed at the world of "hurt". Aren't most of the educated citizens working for the government? Aren't they the same bunch who received the huge pay raise? And the Minister of Finance is worried about the poor? I am so impressed with his concern for the poor I'll try to throw up quietly. Why bother now seems odd! The educated few who are working for themselves as well as the religious organizations sure didn't share the boots.

Didn't we all say "How are we going to pay for this?" The bottom line is: they ploughed ahead despite the fact many of us cried foul. It may be a coincidence, but the money allocated for the pay increase last year and the projected budget deficit this year are within range of each other. So, the money we didn't have should have been saved for this time where we really need the money we don't have. In other words, the deficit is made up of the pay increase. The whole kingdom will be paying for this pay increase for years to come. To compound the fiscal problem, we are flat broke and our currency is diving hard against the NZ and Australian dollars. But, that is small potatoes in comparison to the top heavy administrations of all ministries.

I guess I should not complain. The services have improved dramatically, haven't they? I only brought this up because of my bad experiences at the Passport Minister's office. When I went to renew my passport, it really looked like I was bothering her. I am not so sure if she was the clerk, the supervisor or the Minister of Passports herself, but she seemed to be bothered that I am there at all. I had to go back and see her four times before I got my passport. Can't explain why I felt there should have been at least a 60% to 80% increase in job performance especially in customer service, but I do? It could be because of my poorness. Then again, it could be, the Passport Minister does not know the Finance Minister is really concerned about the welfare of those in Poordom.

TamaFoa

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