Results for Opinion

Though I vigorously believe that there is hardship poverty (but not extreme poverty) in Tonga, the important question remains why poverty exists at all on an island blessed and endowed with important assets and commercial resources like the latest technological tools, such as satellite transmissions and the internet dot to domain. These are communal resources should be shared by all, instead of being the privilege of the elite few in the country. -Dave Tonga

Isn'’t it disappointing that none of these re-elected people'’s reps ever moved against such gross mismanagement of people'’s taxation money? It makes one wonder whether the pro-democracy conviction is really an objective that these gentlemen are living for or simply just another money-making rhetorical scheme. -Rev. Dr. Ma'’afu Palu

As we discover this week that it is not viable for a New Zealander to invest in Tonga because of a restrictive New Zealand tax legislation, a number of questions spring to mind. It is definitely very unfair for these New Zealanders and Tongans who have made New Zealand their homes to find that investment in Tonga is made unprofitable by restrictive tax laws. Editor's Comment.

It was a tsunami like wave that was felt through out the land, the islands that is, when Mr. Edwards blasted the royals with accusations of misappropriations and misgivings during the time he was basking in the limelight and among the elites and the crème de la crème of the populace.

We have observed an interesting trend in previous candidates competing for a place in parliament. They are as fierce as lions when campaigning with their out-spokenness, yet as soon as they get into parliament, it almost seems like someone had clipped their tongues like a wet bus ticket on the way in.

The approach by government to appoint four cabinet ministers from the 18 elected members of the House this year has given a new dimension to Tonga's 2005 parliamentary election. Now, in effect, an elected member of the "opposition" may cross the floor to become a member of the cabinet. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua,

Clive Edwards was for eight years the most active and public critic of Tonga's pro-democracy movement even succeeding, at times, in jailing pro-democracy Members of Parliament. Now, however, he wants to join them as one of the nine Commoner MPs. How can someone who has spent close to a decade trying to keep the people out of Parliament suddenly claim that he is one of the commoners now? It's all a ploy to get back into a position of power so as to finish a lot of what he started earlier in his career. - Siane Tu‘ione

In Response to Tupou Layton: ‘To demand respect you must earn respect'. Reading your letter, I couldn't decide if you were simply trying to put HRH Tupouto'‚a in his place or if you were auditioning for NBC's The Apprentice. -Siane Tui'one

To respond to the Tongan Crown Prince Tupouto'a's comments about my honest opinions on his behalf, I would say " To Demand Respect You Must Earn Respect" whether you are a member of royals, nobles or leaders, you must show commpassion and respect to your own people. -Tupou Layton