The economic situation in Guam is currently dependent on the significant U.S. military presence there. Its status as a tourist destination for Japanese, Singaporeans and South Koreans also contributes to Guam's economy. It has also emerged as a destination for economic migrants from the Philippines working at lower-wage jobs in the hospitality industry.
Debate over political statusedit
Maintenance of the status quo vis-à-vis the current political relationship between the territory and the United States is controversial. There is a significant movement in favor of the Territory becoming a commonwealth, which would give it a political status similar to Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Competing movements exist, which advocate political independence from the United States, statehood, or a combination with the Northern Mariana Islands as a single territory (not necessarily commonwealth). Therese M. Terlaje, Speaker of the Legislature of Guam, indicated support in 2018 for holding a plebiscite to allow Guamians to vote for their favored political status.[1]
These proposals, however, are not seen as favorable by the U.S. federal government, which argues Guam does not have the financial stability or self-sufficiency to warrant such status. They cite Guam's increasing reliance on Federal spending as evidence, and question how commonwealth status or statehood would benefit the United States as a whole.[citation needed]
A portion of the people on Guam favors a modified version of the current Territorial status, involving greater autonomy from the federal government (similar to the autonomy of individual States). Perceived indifference by the U.S. Congress regarding a change-of-status petition submitted by Guam has led many to feel that the territory is being deprived of the benefits of a more equitable union with the United States.[citation needed]
In January 1982, a referendum on Guam's status was held, with a 49.49% plurality of voters favoring commonwealth status, with 25.65% favoring statehood, the second most popular option. 10.19% said they supported the status quo, while 5.40% supported U.S. incorporated territory status. 3.9% of voters favored a free association agreement with the U.S., while independence was the least popular option, garnering 3.82% support.
A second referendum with the two most popular options in the original vote (commonwealth status and statehood) was held in September 1982. By a 72.82% to 27.18% margin, Guamanians voted in favor of commonwealth status over statehood. However, Guam has not received commonwealth status, and remains an unincorporated territory.
Future referendaedit
In 2000, the Guam Legislature authorized the creation of a non-binding vote to allow native inhabitants of Guam to cast their votes in favor of statehood, a free association agreement, or outright independence from the United States. In 2017, Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood declared the proposal unconstitutional under the 15th Amendment.[2]
^Letman, Jon (November 17, 2018). "Historic Wave of Women Candidates Sweep to Power on Guam". Truthout. Retrieved December 31, 2023. Terlaje sees achieving self-determination an urgent mandate, calling educating the public for a plebiscite "our biggest challenge, our most immediate challenge and one that we can actually accomplish. It's a goal that we can meet in two years, I think," expressing confidence that newly elected officials will fulfill promises to make a plebiscite a priority.
^Limtiaco, Steve (March 8, 2023). "Guam back to the drawing board on political status vote". guampdn.com. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
External linksedit
Guam Residents Organize Against US Plans for $15B Military Buildup on Pacific Island - video report by Democracy Now!
January 01, 1970
politics, guam, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, december, 2. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Politics of Guam news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2007 Learn how and when to remove this message Guam is a two party presidential representative democracy in which the Governor is the head of government Guam is an organized unincorporated territory of the United States with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs Guam is also listed on the United Nations list of non self governing territories Contents 1 Background 2 Debate over political status 3 Past referenda on political status 3 1 January 1982 status referendum 3 2 September 1982 status referendum 3 3 Future referenda 4 Political parties and elections 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksBackground editThe economic situation in Guam is currently dependent on the significant U S military presence there Its status as a tourist destination for Japanese Singaporeans and South Koreans also contributes to Guam s economy It has also emerged as a destination for economic migrants from the Philippines working at lower wage jobs in the hospitality industry Debate over political status editMaintenance of the status quo vis a vis the current political relationship between the territory and the United States is controversial There is a significant movement in favor of the Territory becoming a commonwealth which would give it a political status similar to Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands Competing movements exist which advocate political independence from the United States statehood or a combination with the Northern Mariana Islands as a single territory not necessarily commonwealth Therese M Terlaje Speaker of the Legislature of Guam indicated support in 2018 for holding a plebiscite to allow Guamians to vote for their favored political status 1 These proposals however are not seen as favorable by the U S federal government which argues Guam does not have the financial stability or self sufficiency to warrant such status They cite Guam s increasing reliance on Federal spending as evidence and question how commonwealth status or statehood would benefit the United States as a whole citation needed A portion of the people on Guam favors a modified version of the current Territorial status involving greater autonomy from the federal government similar to the autonomy of individual States Perceived indifference by the U S Congress regarding a change of status petition submitted by Guam has led many to feel that the territory is being deprived of the benefits of a more equitable union with the United States citation needed Past referenda on political status editJanuary 1982 status referendum edit Main article January 1982 Guamanian status referendum In January 1982 a referendum on Guam s status was held with a 49 49 plurality of voters favoring commonwealth status with 25 65 favoring statehood the second most popular option 10 19 said they supported the status quo while 5 40 supported U S incorporated territory status 3 9 of voters favored a free association agreement with the U S while independence was the least popular option garnering 3 82 support September 1982 status referendum edit Main article September 1982 Guamanian status referendum A second referendum with the two most popular options in the original vote commonwealth status and statehood was held in September 1982 By a 72 82 to 27 18 margin Guamanians voted in favor of commonwealth status over statehood However Guam has not received commonwealth status and remains an unincorporated territory Future referenda edit In 2000 the Guam Legislature authorized the creation of a non binding vote to allow native inhabitants of Guam to cast their votes in favor of statehood a free association agreement or outright independence from the United States In 2017 Chief Judge Frances Tydingco Gatewood declared the proposal unconstitutional under the 15th Amendment 2 Political parties and elections editFor other political parties see List of political parties in Guam An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Guam See also editPolitical party strength in GuamReferences edit Letman Jon November 17 2018 Historic Wave of Women Candidates Sweep to Power on Guam Truthout Retrieved December 31 2023 Terlaje sees achieving self determination an urgent mandate calling educating the public for a plebiscite our biggest challenge our most immediate challenge and one that we can actually accomplish It s a goal that we can meet in two years I think expressing confidence that newly elected officials will fulfill promises to make a plebiscite a priority Limtiaco Steve March 8 2023 Guam back to the drawing board on political status vote guampdn com Retrieved December 31 2023 External links editGuam Residents Organize Against US Plans for 15B Military Buildup on Pacific Island video report by Democracy Now Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Politics of Guam amp oldid 1208199951, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
