The U.S. Election, as I write this post, on November 7, 2020, at 2:51 pm Pohnpei time still has not been finalized. The numbers are showing Joe Biden in the lead for electoral votes 264 out of 270 to Trump's 214 or 216? Definitely bad news for some, great news for others.
The outcome of any political event, especially the Presidential race, will affect Micronesia as it has since we were administered by the USA after the last World War to our sovereign status in a compact of free association with America, some 30 odd years ago.
Which reminds me that the FSM Public Information Officer (PIO) shared a post on their Facebook page that our FSM Trust Fund and Compact Trust Fund both grew!! This is indeed good news! Combined total amount for both funds is 1.08 Billion... with a "B".. Billion Dollars. Bravo Zulu, as we used to say in the Navy, Job Well Done. The company that advises the FSM Government is called Wilshire Associates which also does PENSIONS. Wouldn't that be awesome if our Government also sought their expertise to set up pensions for our government employees as well? Instead of relying on social security for retirement.
And over in the Republic of Palau, Vice President Oilouch concedes defeat to Surangel Whipps, Jr in a peaceful and very respectful Presidential campaign. It's good to see a peaceful transition, especially in Palau that has had it's share of political violence over the years. Their first President, Haruo Remelik, was assassinated, another President Lazarus Salii supposedly took his own life and they had violent protesting in between over their compact negotiations. Good on Palau for their success so far.
OPINION:
While I don't vote in the USA, I am sort of sad to see Trump go. He was very entertaining and from my point of view here in Micronesia, we got a lot of attention from the US. Of course, this could also be because of China's rise in the Pacific, but it was good to see our three Micronesian Presidents meet him in Washington D.C., and then his Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, actually come to Pohnpei and meet our three Presidents once again.
For those who think he was bad for America or even the world, history will be the ultimate judge, as it always is. As for us here in Micronesia, we are re-negotiating our Compact of Free Association with the USA. The negotiating team called the Joint Committee on Compact Review and Planning has nothing new to say, except that negotiations are ongoing and we should see something by January 2021. I wish there was more! But, I hope the focus we had under Trump continues under Biden. We'll see :)
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