I appreciate the concerns raised in a recent letter regarding a political status vote for Guam. However, I respectfully disagree with the claim that pursuing a decolonization vote is just “political games.”
Calling for a political status referendum is a principled response to our island’s reality. The people of Guam have a right to determine our future path.
The last time Guam voted on its political status was in 1982—over 43 years ago. Since then, an entire generation of Guamanians has grown up without ever having a say on this issue.
Most of the people on Guam today were not even born in 1982 or were not old enough to vote. We deserve a voice in shaping the island’s political future.
It would be wrong to tell those who will live with the consequences that they don’t get to weigh in. After four decades, finally giving our people the chance to express their will on Guam’s status is simply the right thing to do.
Guam is the “tip of the spear” for U.S. defense in the Pacific, and thus “too strategically important to be left alone” amid great power rivalry. While no one here wants conflict, we cannot ignore our strategic vulnerabilities.
Remaining a mere territory leaves us in a precarious position. Guam could even be treated as a bargaining chip between major powers. It is imperative to clarify our status now.
A referendum allows us to chart our own course and declare that we will not be anyone’s pawn. Our destiny should be determined by us, not by the whims of distant powers.
After decades of the status quo, we already understand our situation because we live it daily. But satisfied with the status quo or not, the choice should be ours. No panel of experts can substitute for the ballot box.
Even the Commission on Decolonization notes that only a referendum can settle this.
Whether one favors statehood, independence, free association or remaining a territory, we should all agree on one thing: our people have the right to decide.
In 1982, an earlier generation of Guamanians had its say. Now it’s time for today’s generation to have theirs. We must trust the people of Guam and give them the voice they deserve in determining our island’s future.
After months of conversations in every corner of our island through the political status town halls, one thing has become clear: our people want to be heard.
My office is now drafting legislation to finally move the political status vote forward by amending the plebiscite law. This bill will not please everyone, nothing ever does, but I remain committed to listening to every perspective and continuing this vital community conversation.
It’s time to give the people of Guam a voice in deciding our future.
Sen. William Parkinson is a member of the 38th Guam Legislature.
