As we pass the mid point of 2022, and approach the midterm elections, we need to reflect on the events that occurred in the past year and a half, since the Democrats have controlled both the Administrative and Congressional arms of our Federal Government.
It is sad to see Joe Biden’s approval rating falling, meaning that he is a poor leader as we need a strong leader, but it is ensuring that he is a drag on Democrat candidates. They are actually running away from his sinking ship. Joe Biden and his Socialist Democrats (Not all Democrats are radically left, fortunately) have brought crisis after crisis and the American, and Samoan people, are paying the price for his policy follies.
1. A supply chain crisis with inflation at a 40 year high, and for us in American Samoa, we will be face $6/per gallon this Manu’a Day weekend; and we will be paying —for the first time— in history, over 50 cents per KW for ASPA power; if Biden approved the Keystone pipeline, we would not be in this situation.
2. A baby formula shortage that has left families struggling to feed infants in the mainland;
3. A nationwide average of $5 gas, and an average of over $6 in California – American Samoa will soon be the same;
4. Out of control border crisis that has made our mainland communities less safe from drugs;
5. Rising crime in Democrat-run cities across the country; and the irony is that these are the bastions for gun control. Gun control only emboldens the evil people.
6. A disastrous foreign policy agenda that has America leading from behind; a crisis in Ukraine because of Biden’s weak leadership; and a botched Afghanistan withdrawal, that left Americans killed and stranded. In my opinion, these policies will only cause the deaths of more of our Samoan family who are soldiers.
7. With a pro-China policy that emboldens China to propagate in the Pacific, Biden is trying to remove important tariffs that will kill our canneries and make America weaker. The expansion of the monuments is another nail in the coffin for our canneries as we cannot fish but China’s large fishing fleet, steal our fish and sell it back to us. This will be a signal that all fish goes to China first. The US economy will soon be second to China. Globalization, as pushed by Democrat leaders, is not good for America or American Samoa — it is good only for China.
Are Democrat leaders trying to ruin our country and make life miserable for the rest of us?
Despite these headwinds, God is good and so Republicans are in a strong position heading into the midterm elections, including taking back the House and Senate majorities.
Republicans need to win just 4 seats to win the majority in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, Republicans need to pick up one seat to win the majority.
31 House Democrats have either decided to retire or not seek re-election.
While the Republican Party doesn’t get involved in candidate recruitment, there are strong leaders who have stepped up to run in races across the country.
Just recently, Mayra Flores, the first Mexican born U.S. Congresswoman, flipped a 84% Hispanic district in the deep-blue Rio Grande Valley. Democrats won in TX-34 by 25.4% in 2016, 20% in 2018, and 13.6% in 2020.
We have seen high Republican turnout in the primaries that have already occurred.
Voters across the country have already nominated a great slate of candidates at the statewide, Congressional, and local level:
- Strong statewide Senate candidates including Dr. Oz, JD Vance, Adam Laxalt, and Ted Budd.
Hispanic Congressional candidates including Monica de la Cruz (TX), Michelle Garcia Holmes (NM), and Cassy Garcia (TX). - Female Congressional candidates including Madison Gesiotto Gilbert (OH), April Becker (NV), and Erin Houchin (IN).
- Black Congressional candidates including Wesley Hunt (TX), Eric Brewer (OH), and Jennifer-Ruth Green (IN).
- Asia Pacific candidates including Michelle Steel (CA), Young Kim (CA), and Hung Cao (VA).
Voters are rejecting Democrat politicians that have made our communities less safe. Look no further than California, where the San Francisco DA was recalled and where young children have to walk home through drug infested, homeless, street communities.
Republicans are focusing on issues that matter to families and voters in all communities: education, keeping our communities safe, and rising prices for everything from gas to groceries. Coining a former Democrat President, “It’s the economy stupid”!!
If Republican candidates run on these platforms, they can compete in even the deepest of blue states, districts, and cities.
For Samoan brothers and sisters who reside in any of these States, please help these candidates. Let the Government, by the people for the people, become a reality once more.
Taulapapa W. Sword
Chairman RPAS
