That’s according to the Pew Research Center’s survey conducted from Jan. 27 to Feb. 2, issued Feb. 20.
(Some of those helpful people that answered the survey and are worried about the federal budget must be in politics.)
If you had sat through Frank Campillo’s presentation on healthcare at the Guam Chamber of Commerce’s Feb. 26 lunch, you’d be worried too.
There was little good news in the Calvo Insurance executive’s presentation that covered the cost of premiums — going up, prevalent diseases, and more, to include his thoughts on a new hospital for Guam.
But you can’t blame Frank for the island’s situation, and his excellent presentation dealt with reality.
On Guam, inflation preoccupies all of us, particularly as we wait to see exactly how federal policy on tariffs will affect us, and then there is the increase in the Port of Guam’s proposed tariffs.
Imagine the effect of an 8.5% increase for the first four months and then 17% forever after.
The cost of eggs has risen worldwide and nationwide and it’s a situation that has caught all our attention. Last time I looked eggs were at (at least) $8.99 and $9.99 a dozen in the places I shop, so if you are reading this in the U.S. mainland, you’re probably shocked.
Yes, some restaurants in Guam have put the price up by 50 cents or a dollar, and that spread around the island on WhatsApp at the speed of light.
Of course, if you’re in the business of providing breakfasts or baking, any increase in the cost of a staple is a concern.
But here’s a thought.
When I was in Palau in January, the prices of eggs were already reaching $10 a dozen and was a talking point there too. The shrewdest comment I heard about eggs — and attitudes to inflation came from Peter Gaymann, general manager for NECO Plaza Corp. and Triple J Five Star Wholesale Foods in Koror.
He told me, “If they [eggs] cost you $10 or more, you’re going to notice that. It’s not 10 cents or 20 cents on a pound of meat.”
What do Americans worry least about?
Domestic terrorism, 34%; international terrorism, 36%; and climate change at 41%. Drug addiction bothers 51% of Americans.
I suppose that has something to do with how drug addiction and any resulting crime or deaths affects your community. In Guam, drug addiction can go hand in hand with panhandling, petty and not so petty crime, and is also affecting the labor force.
(We look at the effects in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands in this issue of MBJ.)
In the islands climate change has effects. Roseann Jones, professor of economics and dean of the School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Guam, wrote an expert column in this paper in September.
She said, “Island economies are paying attention to the importance of environmental indicators such as climate change impacts, natural resource management, migration, and sustainability issues that affect them.”
But I lean towards stoicism and to worrying most about what I can control.
I’m writing this column on a Saturday morning, and I realize I’m hungry.
Even if they have the status of treasured Fabergé creations in our fridge, the eggs beckon. mbj
— Maureen N. Maratita is the publisher at Glimpses Media. Glimpses Media includes the Marianas Business Journal, Guam Business Magazine, The Guam Guide, Wave 105.1 FM, Route99 FM and Power98.