Yamashita: Boundaries should be respected | Opinion | guampdn.com – Guam Pacific Daily News

Many of us continue to steady our steps. The germ warfare has us on a carousel going up and down and all around.

We have learned that vaccinations and good health practices make a difference. We know the high vaccination rate on Guam is a safety net for our health care system.

Emotionally, stressors come from all points. Closures, work, prices, empty shelves challenge us to be even more patient, focused and creative. Our hope for better times keeps us steady.

A lack of decorum from elected officials unsettles that hope. If the Guam Legislature has organizational issues with attendance practices, it can address that internally. If the Guam Legislature has issues with the performance of committee members and officers, it can address that in joint caucus.

As a former senator, I learned when I was present at a majority, if not all, public hearings and committee meetings, there were a variety of acceptable strategies to fully engage in legislative business. I learned that Families First should concentrate on its office and while it should certainly foster relationships with others, it should trust individual senators to be accountable for their efforts.

The people are astute enough to know who is getting the peoples work done. The people will decide, as they always do.

Do not misunderstand me. Heated discussion about policy, programs and practices is vital. Best steps result as discourse, data, research, stakeholder input and visionary sights take the stage. We elect our leaders to make the best decisions possible for all of us to live, work, pray, learn, dream and play safely, fairly and happily to our potential.

As officials live in glass houses, boundaries should be respected for private matters, especially when we already know tragedy and high-risk health issues are being addressed, especially when we already know health care being sought isnt available on Guam, especially when we know that deliverables continue to be addressed.

We have little control over many Guam decisions. We do have control over our relationships with each other. Even as we disagree, respect and regard especially as we are just healing from the health crisis are expected from our officials. Further concern hampers recovery.

Vice Speaker Tina Mua Barnes tele-working has made progress on Guam issues transshipment, COFA renegotiations, affordable homes. She continues to do her work on the Guma Mami Board. Most recently, her measure to identify haul-road highways that aims to help control Guam prices passed.

I dont know if Tina is seeking re-election. What I do know is that she continues to deliver for our families as she cares for hers. What I do know is that she is deserving of respect, regard and restraint as she steadies her footing.

We may not be able to control treatment from others, but certainly we can temper treatment among ourselves. Respect, regard, restraint standards of behavior we expect from those who call Guam home.

Aline Yamashita, Ph.D., is a teacher, single mother and former senator.

See the original post here:

Yamashita: Boundaries should be respected | Opinion | guampdn.com - Guam Pacific Daily News