Editor,

I went walkabout as I was drowned in my disappointment from the last election. But recognizing that will not accomplish anything, I came back to voice my concerns. I am concerned that there is a false sense of security in those who think our political reform will make all our political and economic troubles go away.

Your last editorial highlighted the political demon we are going to deal with after the year 2010 political reform. Imagine that! The news highlights will be filled with titles like, "Kingdom, No More!"; "Thy Kingdom Gone!"; "From a King to a Jack" or "Jumping from the Pot to the Fire!"

So far, the PRs are doing a good job misleading the public regarding the reform. One does not need to go far to find their true colours. The PRs 60% pay raise is a great example of their hypocrisy. Was a word said about it during the campaign?

I am also concerned that the government's incompetence handling of the case against the potential convicts in our Parliament is only for show. Come to think of it, is there any charge left? Why hasn't the leading Government attorney ask for assistance from a more experienced lawyer from Australia or New Zealand to make their case? Fortunately for the potential convicts, I only like the "Fair trial and a fine hanging" kind of prosecutors and I am not involved. But, pride sometimes tells us we are not dead although we are already buried six feet under.

Today, despite our political differences, our conducts are still somewhat controlled by our rich traditions of respect and considerations of others (ngaahi 'ulungaanga faka'apa'apa moe toka'i). Those traditions sometimes force us to put aside our personal feelings and recognize the importance of living in harmony. Are they all good? For heaven's sake, no. There is plenty of room for improvement.

But with the new democracy, all bets are off. Instead of respect coming from the hearts, new dictators may fill the hearts with fear. Fear, is every dictator's best friend. Edmund Burke said that "all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." During the past few decades, in addition to doing nothing for the kingdom, our Royal Family took advantage of what little we had instead of taking charge. That created the climate of discontent led by men who only work four hours a day for three days of the week and gave themselves a 60% pay increase just because they can. Too bad, the public has not caught on to these slicks.

Although I have been very critical of our political system, primarily the Royal Family, I honestly have no faith in our PRs. But despite my differences with the Royal Family, I am among their strongest supporters. Unfortunately, it does not help when the Government fumbled too many opportunities so many times they force me to wonder if incompetence is a requirement to work there. They seem to pursuit policies that make little to no sense at all.

Courting the Chinese government is an example. Of all the charities given to the kingdom by Japan, New Zealand, and Australia, do we really want to watch the Beijing Olympics that much? We are poking friends in the eyes and attempt to throw them under a bus because an unproven champion is on the rise. That may be so, but why at our friends' expense? The Chinese government killed over 44 million while pursuing their goal of dominancy. To them, one hundred thousand Tongans will be, but a blink of an eye.

To the Japanese people and their government, "Ah..Do..mo ari..ga..to." Thank you for the new Olovaha! Thank you for remembering us. Our government has long forgotten you. Like they say in Korea when one is in trouble, "We are in deep Kimchi." I thought you ought to know that.

Tama Foa

Tevita [dot] Langi [at] AMEDD [dot] ARMY [dot] MIL