I THINK it would be a good idea for Guam Sen. Matt Rector, a great labor advocate, to step down as senator. Not because he did not disclose his conviction when he filed his candidacy papers or that he might have conflicts-of-interests but rather because he is more effective working out of the union shop.
How many of his initiatives have hit the trash can at the Legislature? Senator Rector has little to no support from his colleagues, who are well-entrenched politicians, for the most part.
Senator Rector needs to build capacity within the union shop and encourage folks both from within and without the Guam Federation of Teachers to stand up for labor causes, as he has. If there is only one person “fighting,” it is easy for enemies of labor to “take that one person out.”
Besides Senator Rector, Sen. Ben Pangelinas is the other favorite target of critics and I do not believe it is easy to destroy his political career.
MATT PHILIPS
Mangilao, Guam
