ON SAMOA'S "THREE AMIGOS"
This is a religio/socio-political post -- with a pinch of parody -- based on a current political conundrum in Samoa 🇼🇸
NOTE: I am not a politically partisan person; I just want to parse things - at least passably.
Respect Almighty God, the USA and Human Rights.
Recently three Members of Parliament (MP) resigned and left their Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP). According to an existing law, passed a few years ago by the HRPP while in power, these three MP's will have to vacate their Parliamentary seats and return to their districts for their by-elections.
The law, however, is seen by the "Three Amigos" (as the three MP's have since been risibly and eponymously labeled), and others like myself, as being a bad, unjust and draconian law, and should therefore be rescinded and repealed. The law is now being challenged in court.
One of the reasons cited against the ill-conceived law is its infringement on a person's constitutional right and freedom of association. But I have my own reasons.
First, respect Almighty God.
The country's national motto or foundation (faavae) is "Samoa is founded on God" - specifically Jesus Christ according to inscriptions on some of their national monuments. The Christian Trinity provision is even unabashedly written into the Constitution - by the HRPP. And so when the Members of Parliament, Speaker and others are sworn in upon the start of their tenure, they put their hand on the Bible and recite this Oath of allegiance:
"I ......................... swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Independent State of Samoa, and that I will justly and faithfully carry out my duties as a Member of the Parliament of Samoa. So help me God."
This Oath is part of the Constitution, which makes it binding, legal and efficacious. Note that the allegiance in the oath is to the country (Independent State of Samoa). The MP is a member of Parliament of Samoa, first and foremost, and party second. Moreover there is no party oath; but even if there were, it would be subordinate to the above Oath. In essence, therefore, a party cannot sack a member of parliament from Parliament. It can dismiss a person as a party member but not from Parliament, and any law that aims to do such should be unconstitutional. The invocation of the 'Almighty God' in the Oath should be sufficient to rescind and annul the law especially within the context and application of Samoa's Faavae - the Constitution and national motto.
Hence if Samoa is founded on God, then honor and respect the Almighty God by which the Oath is administered and sworn.
Second, respect the United States.
Why? Well, hmmm.....why not?
The United States has long been a role model for democracy and had been admired for many achievements and accolades around the world. The admiration comes with respect even despite some of her flaws - admittedly. For democracy, the US has been the leader of the so-called democratic free world. The USA was the first country to have and adopt a written Constitution and all other democratic countries followed suit. Speaking of "follow suit", Samoa should follow the US and overturn its law to dismiss the three MP's from Parliament. Coincidentally two members of the US Congress recently left/resigned from the Democratic Party and became independent without any legal ramifications. They are Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and, ironically, an American Samoan-born Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii. This should be a proper guidepost and precedent for Samoa too.
Despite ongoing efforts by Samoa to carve her own cultural democracy niche and blaze her own political trail, the principle of individual freedom and rights to "cross the aisle" and change political parties should be honored and respected as being universal, at least democratic. Samoa is different you say? I'd say "same difference". Samoa and the USA share not only democratic values but also their Christian piety and heritage. In fact both countries have God invoked in their national mottos: "Samoa is founded on God" for Samoa and "In God We Trust" for the US.
Therefore, I'd invoke the familiar maxim of "Follow [and respect] the Leader."
Third, respect Human Rights.
For a party to claim in its name to champion and protect human rights and then pass a law that infringes upon human rights reeks of political treachery and hypocrisy. Simply, HRPP is not protecting human rights, it is plundering them - Human Rights Plundering Party.
So talk the talk and walk the walk, aye?
Meanwhile, let's await what the Court will decide on - whether to protect or plunder human and individual rights. Judicial independence please! 🙏 Let the 'Three Amigos' stay, don't "deport" them! (please pardon pun)
Ciao!