SUPER DEBATE 2008

OTV and other individuals are organizing a first ever live broadcasted Presidential Debate for this coming election. The debate will be a milestone in political campaigns and elections. Campaigns have always been about huge promises and "please vote for me" rather than offering goals and clear strategies to reach those goals. The debate will give the public a chance to ask questions and discuss important issues with the candidates. It will be interesting to see their approaches to different issues such as our economy, climate change, 99yr lease, dual citizenship, etc. So please support and encourage our candidates to participate in the debate. It's about time to get to the bottom of things and vote based on knowledge of who is most competent and promising to our nation.

Yours truly is involved in this event and wishes that you all get involved by pitching in questions that you would like the candidates to address. You can just post your questions and ideas on this blog or email them to ngelekelbelau@gmail.com with the subject SUPER DEBATE 08.

"Palauan children, it's time to rise up and take a stand against the status quo so that we can help build a just nation for us, our parents, and our children."

Should non-resident workers be granted minimum wage?

Sen. Surangel Whipps proposed a bill last month that seeks to require employers to pay the minimum $2.50 to non-resident employees. This would only apply to bussiness employees since farmers, fishermen, and domestic helpers and employees of non-profit organizations and businesses that earns less than $50K are exempted. Sen. Whipps explains that if this bill passes, employers would hire more Palauans since it would be expensive to hire non-residents (granted that they have to provide them a place to live.) Whipps claims that there would be great economic advantages to the employees, the businesses, and to our country.

So what do you all think about this? Consider what it could do to the unemployment rate as well as aggregate spending. And also consider the social signifigance of this bill if it ever passes (race and equality.)

Complaint filed against Koror State Traditional Leaders for enforcing a bul on Ngemelis. What do think?

KSG,Adachi,Legislators vs. Traditional Chiefs

The Koror State Government has filed a complaint against the Traditional Chiefs for enforcing a bul on Ngemelis island in the basis that the chiefs are disobeying a law that was passed in Dec. 25, 2007 which designated Ngemelis as a tourist area. The complaint basically says that the Traditional Chiefs are disobeying the law by not agreeing with what KSG has set on the table. My question is: is this law a good law or is it unjust? Keep in mind that if Ngemelis becomes a tourist and fishing spot (the new state law allows fishing within a mile of Ngemelis), it could effect some of the national conservation areas. Do you think this is environmental injustice?

Hospital Errors??

We all know that our only hospital, Belau National Hospital, is one of the most modern and comprehensive hospitals in Micronesia. However, there have been error cases that are not publicly acknowledged. For example: this year alone I have known 4 people (close relatives) that have been given false information because their blood samples. Somehow their samples have been mixed up with other people's. How scary is that! If this would have happened in the U.S., there would have been a couple big lawsuits. What do you have to say about this? Should we just put it under the table and hush hush; or is there something that should be done about it and how?

Live Reef Fishing??

On Nov. 19th, Sam's Tour Blog posted some pictures and comment about a Live Reef Fishing going on in Kayangel's waters (http://www.samstours.com/blog/). Apparently, Kayangel has some kind of agreement with a fishing company based in Taiwan or Hong Kong. "While it all sounds very innocent the highly destructive practice can wipe out targeted species in a matter of months" (Sam's Tour Blog).

The blog has sparked some anger with Kayangel's Governor who is not very happy about the blogger taking pictures of Kayangel port without the state's permission. However he was upset with the "unpermitted" fishing which has been going on for about a year according to Sam's Tour.

What do you all think? What can be done to prevent things like this; or better yet, what does it say about our government? Not too long ago former President KN worked out a clever deal with the government to reduce the penalties owed by PMIC for unpaid taxes; not only that, PMIC was also caught red handed with shark fins. It seems like businesses and private interests come before our precious environment, our treasures.

Should Palauan college grads return home?

Ok, what do you all think Palauan college graduates (from abroad) should do? Should they return home and contribute their new found knowledge? What I'm trying to say is: is there an obligation that needs to be fulfilled which is to go home and help our country? Perhaps a sense of duty? Or it doesn't matter at all. Voice it out!

Why is there a significant number or high school drop outs in Palau?

I don't know the exact statistics but I do know that in my neighborhood back home a majority of the youth are high school dropouts. This may not apply to all hamlets but it's obviously evident in most. Why do you think this is? Is it our communities (where we grow up at) or our schools? I've noticed that kids that go to private schools tend to follow through vs. going to a public school. What ought to be done about this (if there is in fact a possible solution?)