Surviving Statehood

 

Recently Senator Will Parkinson introduced a resolution to I Liheslaturan Guåhan calling for a full examination of statehood or another autonomous status. In his statement explaining the resolution he equated statehood for Guam with ensuring the island’s survival.
 

Is statehood really the only choice for Guam’s future?
 

This Friday, May 2nd from 5:30-7:00 pm at the Guam Museum, Independent Guåhan will be holding a community forum discussing some of the implications of what statehood might mean for the island. This event is free and open to all. Former UOG President and non-voting delegate for Guam Robert Underwood will also offer his reflections as part of the discussion.
 

Artwork in flyer courtesy of Teihini Davis

 

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Three Things You Should Know About Statehood for Guam

1.        Unlike Independence, where all people have the right to be free and right to self-determination, no one has the right to become a state. Becoming a state depends upon the majority of members of both of the US House and Senate and the President of the United States all approving its admission.

 

2.        Statehood often leads to population influxes and flurries of investment which tends to negatively impact the existing local population and in particular any indigenous populations. While Statehood can bring prosperity, as we can see in the cases of most Native American and Native Hawaiians, it can push down and push aside indigenous groups.

 

3.        While Statehood can bring increased federal government spending to Guam, it will also require increased obligations to the United States government, most prominently through the payment of US federal taxes. At present Guam residents only pay local taxes, if we became a state, some analysts estimate the tax burden for residents could double, while not bringing down the cost of living.