Investments In American Samoa Should Decrease Dependency On Tuna Sectorff

Source: Excerpts from an opinion-blog article van Pago Pago.com

I would like to call a truce between Congressman Faleomavaega and myself in the current war of words we are waging. I have raised some important points regarding our economic future that are being obscured in rhetoric about the value of our cannery workers. As far as I can see Faleomavaega and I are in agreement that they are valuable workers, okay? Enough said about that. Let’s not squabble over rhetorical devices.

“Our territory is facing a terrible economic downturn for which we are not ready. We are not prepared because our entire private sector economy is dependent upon a single industry that is facing problems that will, in all likelihood, cause it to seriously downsize further if not leave altogether.”

“The diminishment of our tuna industry is due to a variety of reasons, many completely out of our control. But what is more important is that we are depending on an industry that is failing internationally and has very questionable long-term sustainability.”

We applaud our Congressman for his most heroic effort to salvage a nearly hopeless situation by promoting legislation that provides subsidies for this failing industry and asks the U.S. taxpayer to pay an estimated $25 million to support it. In addition, this same industry has for many years enjoyed substantial U.S. tax subsidies and will continue to do so for at least the next year.

But that is not enough.

My view is that Faleomavaega’s legislative package should contain elements based on the Interior Economic Development Study Commission recommendations that will diversify our economy and prepare us for a day when we no longer will have any tuna industry at all.

Since Faleomavaega himself acknowledges that his ASPIRE bill will need extensive revisions before it can advance, all I am asking is that it be broadened substantially so that it is a comprehensive piece of legislation that addresses both the immediate and long term economic problems we face.

In my original editorial I said: “We have the education systems, quality of life expectations and the burning desire to aspire to higher ambitions.” There is much that needs to be done and our Congressman is in a position to provide real leadership in this regard. Let’s get on with the task at hand and end the name calling.

Written by John Newton