My name is Daniel. I was an English teacher in Seoul, South Korea, and am now a writer who has

published three books including South Korea: Our Story by Daniel Nardini.

                              I should explain that once a territory of the United States becomes a state, it is 

almost impossible to ever change its status. After all, if states broke away from the United States too easily, then how can the United States exist? However, territories <i>can</i> vote to change their status in territorial votes. One

place that is considering whether to change its status or not is Guam. Having been a part of the United

States since 1898, Guam is now part of the Commonwealth of Guam and is an unincorporated territory of

the United States. The people of Guam are considering whether to vote to keep the commonwealth, become

a U.S. state, or seek independence. Three former Pacific territories did become independent from the

United States---the Republic of Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia. Since these were never

U.S. states, they could and did become independent. I believe that the people of Guam are weighing 

whether independence will affect tourism, their military treaty with the United States, and any threat of

North Korea. But contrary to any leftists' talk, the people of Guam are free to vote on what they want for

their future. Guam is NOT an American colony, and they have the ultimate chance of becoming a free,

sovereign and independent nation if they so choose.