Government is the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. Throughout the relatively brief history of Guam, the indigenous people have never had the opportunity to determine their political status or decide democratically which type of governmental system to implement. Since the island’s earliest days the original inhabitants always had to endure whatever political system the current local leadership put into place. This meant the island’s political status was in what seemed to be a never-ending carousel of change. Weather it was the caste system of ancient Guam, Spanish, Japanese, or American rule, the people have never had the right to choose. The chamorros of the past have never had say in the way the island they call home would be run. Although, as the years passed some powers and essential rights were gained. The people of Guam still lacked the power to determine their own political and governmental standing. The United Nations has finally recognized this age-old injustice, and on July 1, 2000 the people of Guam will finally have what past generations of chamorros could only dream of. A chance for Self –Determination. This opportunity is news to many, and unfortunately some think that this is the island’s first attempt to achieve self-determination. Though, there are those locals who are aware of the long struggle that began with the earliest attempts by the local people to limit the powers of government. Then came the first Guam legislature, followed by the long hard struggle to gain American citizenship. This was achieved by the passing of the Organic Act, a document that serves as the island’s constitution. The historic passing of this document brought various rights to the people of the island. Although, the local people and the political leaders always thirsted for something more.The Organic act did bring about great change on the island with the lifting of...
