Democracy is not the best form of Government but it is the only one with the least of evils compared to other forms e.g. dictatorship etc.
Adolf Hitler’s ascent to power was through democratically held elections then manipulated power through lies and turned his country into a dictatorship that killed millions of innocent lives in World War 2 that Hitler initiated.
Our forebears, Fathers of our Constitution, chose a democratic form of Government for Samoa and it was a good choice.
In the Preamble of the Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land, our forebears set out their vision for our State to be founded on God, our customs and traditions which were also God created.
Observance of these guiding principles would ensure for our people an environment of peace and tranquility, and an assured happy life for our children of the future.
To achieve this vision, there needs to be a close working relationship and mutual respect between the leaders of Government, the leaders of religions and the chiefs and orators that administer the traditional day to day affairs of the villages as it was for thousands of years.
It is the reason that Government leaders since independence have always maintained this sensitive relationship upon which Government projects depend for their smooth implementation at the rural communities.
That working relationship is now jeopardised.
The campaign promise of $1,000,000 cash distribution to the 51 Constituencies is now reduced to $200,000 but to date not one sene has been distributed.
It is fraught with conflicting conditions which is tantamount to the abuse of public funds and open threats to the leaders of all the districts, that if the Chiefs do not obey governments directives, no distribution will be made to them – a dictatorship in the making!
And even the most minor duty performed by clerks in any democracy like the approval of salaries must have the prior approval of Cabinet – an amazing development in a developed democracy of 60 years old!!!
And so, our two lady MPs of HRPP have yet to be paid after months of their confirmation by the Head of State – another evidence of our Constitution being ignored.
Our economy is moving into depression, like all economies of the world, adversely impacted by the pandemic, climate change and the Ukraine war.
All these issues require the full and undivided attention of our Government and all members of Parliament, HRPP included, to address, and yet we waste time on issues that bring unnecessary division amongst our people.
Shortly, Parliament will debate the new fiscal year budget 2022/2023 which sets out FAST’s vision to solve our economic problems for 2023.
And this is FAST’s budget for 2022/2023 financial year.
Total expenditure forecast is $964 million.
Total revenue forecast is $789 million.
And so, Government proposes to over spend by $175 million in the hope that some kindhearted angels will fly down from Heaven with $175 million to fund the rest of FAST political campaign promises which have already caused divisions to our rural communities.
It is said that half of the deficit will be funded from budgetary support from donor partners but with conditions and the balance of over $89 million of budgeted outgoings represent moneys that the Government does not have.
What are the solutions? – Simple.
As it happens in many other countries, FAST must apologise to our people that their promises cannot be honoured and blame the problem on COVID-19 and HRPP.
Then slash the budget to reflect only the moneys it can realistically collect.
FAST will be forgiven by our people as Christ commanded – forgive and forget those who trespass against us.
We already forgave FAST on 26 July 2021 when we surrendered the Government following the Court of Appeal decision 23/7/21 to support FAST by 500%.
Now it is 2,000%, through our normal opposition role – to help with our thoughts, words and all.
With love,
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Leader of HRPP