Mike Gravel

Americans do not often like to think of their country as an empire. And yet there is no denying that it is.

As Daniel Immerwahr shows in his valuable book, “How to Hide an Empire,” America’s expansionist imperialism, after surging in the late 19th century, faded in zeal by the mid-20th century. We have large shed the self-image of Americans as colonizers — especially since it would raise uncomfortable questions about nation-building projects like those in Afghanistan and Iraq — and thus it is little surprise we think little of the legacies of the colonialism vaunted by William McKinley and Albert Beveridge.

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The most obvious legacies, of course, are territories like Guam.

Because most Americans think little of Guam, the U.S. government’s current policy toward the territory might be described as unsalutary neglect. Guam has a population of 150,000, far more than the 50,000 coal miners in the U.S. And yet whereas American leadership often crows about the plight of coal miners, nary a word is spoken about Guam unless, as happened in the summer of 2017, a flare-up in North Korean relations causes threats against its security.

It’s obvious why Guam is so often neglected — its residents can’t vote in presidential elections and its delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives can’t vote. Since Guam lacks the leverage to influence national elections or votes in the House, national politicians feel no need to appeal to Guamanians in the way they appeal to Floridians or Iowans. Thus, Guam’s issues go unaddressed year after year.

Full Americans

Guamanians deserve better. They are full Americans, equal to anyone in Massachusetts or Texas in their citizenship, and they deserve to have their voices heard and their issues addressed.

The first step should be simple: self-autonomy.

In the immediate term, cooperate with the leadership of Guam to organize a referendum deciding between statehood, free association with the United States and full independence. If Guam chooses statehood, then a Guam Admission Act (similar to Rep. Darren Soto’s Puerto Rico Admission Act) should immediately be passed, and Guam should receive full representation in Congress, including two senators and voting rights for its representative.

But as Guam decides its future, Congress should focus on righting the wrongs of the past few decades. Del. Michael San Nicolas’s Guam Supplemental Security Income Equality Act, which would extend the SSI program to Guam, is absolutely vital and should be enacted immediately. And the U.S. should consider a one-time cash infusion to Guam’s residents to make up for the lost benefits.

The federal government should also reform outdated legislation that hurts Guam’s economy. The Jones Act, famous for its economic damage to Puerto Rico, requires that trade between American ports must be carried by ships built in and registered with the U.S., with ownership and crew being at least 75 percent American. The Jones Act results in higher costs of living in Guam, and results in a significant loss of trade activity.

Guam is actually exempt from the act; but since it only makes sense for ships to stop first in Hawaii, which isn’t exempt, it still feels the brunt.

The Jones Act is regressive and hurtful to outlying regions of the U.S. and Congress should repeal it immediately. In the meantime, the president should grant an indefinite Jones Act waiver to Guam and other territories.

Finally, the federal government should recognize the tremendous service Guam has given this country’s military, and how little the military has given back to Guam. Guam has a higher military enlistment rate than any other state. In spite of this, as of 2015, the territory had the very lowest VA spending per capita in the U.S.

Recognition

That is unacceptable. It is time to recognize the sacrifice of every Guamanian veteran.

For one, all 3,656 Guam applications for claims related to the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II should be processed and, if valid, approved. Because of the extremely long wait time before benefits were paid, they should be significantly increased.

In addition, Guam’s military hospital remains underfunded and should see a significant increase in funding.

Guam faces significant challenges, from poor infrastructure to strained water resources, and a long-term plan for Guam must address all of that. But the necessary first step is self-determination for Guam and leveling the playing field.

Candidates for president must recognize that Guam is a part of the American family and deserves all the benefits and privileges of membership.

Former Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska is running for president.

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