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Seven of nine congressional candidates say “Yes” to election of senators

Hand in hand with the question put to congressional candidates about the Veto Override, was the question: Should the senators be elected by popular vote?

 

Seven of the eight candidates who attended last week’s forum hosted by the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) Student Government Association were in favor of looking at electing senators, while only one said outright that the selection of senators is a great part of the culture and should remain as is.

 

The forum was held at the college’s gymnasium last Thursday.

 

The candidates who attended were Aumua Amata, Mapu J. Jamias, Mark Ude, Meleagi Suitonu-Chapman, Rosie Fualaau Tago Lancaster, Togiola Tulafono, Tua’au Kereti Matautia Jr., and Tuika Tuika.  Iincumbent Faleoamavaega Eni Hunkin did not attend due to reasons not clearly made known.

 

The candidates addressed questions chosen by the ASCC SGA during the question-and-answer portion of the forum, and were given a minute to respond to each of the nine questions, as they were posed. According to SGA, the questions had been submitted by the student body to the organization, and SGA then selected the questions for the forum.

 

Samoa News will be publishing each question and the candidates’ points of view before Election Day, which is the first Tuesday of November, in this case Nov. 4—just one week from today.

 

SELECT SENATORS OR ELECT THEM?

 

Former governor Togiola, who is also a former senator, said the veto override is to override the governor — but who overrides the Senate if they don’t do something right, because overriding anyone else is done by voting.

 

He said “that’s the right of the people — and until the senate is elected, the people cannot check on that power… a very, very tremendous power and I am on record that I do believe it’s time that we make a constitutional amendment requiring that we elect the senate.”

 

Tuika Tuika concurred with the move to elect senators, saying however, it is because they are “dishonest” — and that’s also why he does not support the veto override. He said that the Senate is voting on bills during session — “bills that affect our daily lives, yet they are not elected by us, they are selected by the village councils, and therefore they should not vote for any bills — and it’s time to elect them.”

 

“I believe the senators are the wise ones, even though I feel I can do just as good for the job,” Mapu Jamaias said. “They are the ones holding back the fabric that is holding back our values and customs.” He further stated that there should be discussions and research, but the choice is up to the people, adding there is a need to look deep into the fa’asamoa and the culture.

 

Tua’au Kereti Matautia Jr., answered by pointing out a discussion between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, former presidents of the United States, about the best type of legislature. He said the discussion ended up with Washington commenting to Jefferson, why was he drinking his tea from the saucer, because it’s hot. 

 

“I give that analogy to the Fono and the Senate to ensure that whatever changes that come through the Fono, it will be a body of elders (Ali’i ma Tamali’i) that would be steadfast to the changes.” 

 

Meleagi Suitonu-Chapman begged to differ, saying that she thinks that the senators should remain as they are, selected by the village council, because it’s a great part of the culture.

 

“It’s those of you who are in the particular districts who are present during the selections of the senators, you must stand up and voice your opinion. But we cannot change this, because Senators are women and men of wisdom,” she stated.

 

She said not to be discouraged with the person, but consider what the position of a senator means, as it was something the elders had decided upon a long time ago.

 

The way the legislature is set up is protected under the fa’asamoa or the culture and the level of frustration is very high, said Rosie Lancaster, who referred back to the veto override.

 

“This is where accountability comes in,” she said. She pointed out that their function is to create the laws, and if they pass that override — who will be checking on them? She further stated that the checks and balances of the branches of government here  is “lopsided” so we cannot compare American Samoa and the USA, as all of their lawmakers are elected. Lancaster said for the future she’d like to see an amendment regarding the senators being elected, and maybe it’s time put that to the voters.

 

Aumua Amata her response, said there are certain roles for the federal government and everything else is left to the states. She said that this is one of those questions that should be decided by the people. “Whatever the people will decide, I will abide by the wishes of our people,” said Amata.

 

Mark Ude, the only palagi to run in this year’s congressional race, who is also a local lawyer, said while American Samoa has maintained its Samoan culture and the matai system, it has the opportunity to have its constitution amended if the people wish to do so.

 

However, he also pointed out, “the problem with the popular vote is that whoever has the most money can become a senator, and that is not always the best solution.” Ude noted the Senator from Massachusetts won the vote — with $42million spent.

 

Look for more coverage of congressional Q & A each day until next week Tuesday, Election Day for the territory.