If Virgin Islanders could vote in presidential elections, they would be ignored and taken for granted by the Democrats and disdained as “others” by the Republicans.

As voters decide to choose whom to elect in the coming elections, Jews are going through a similar process of evaluation.

There have been three transformational presidential elections in the past 50 years: 1964, 1980 and 2012.

Detachment is experiencing your feelings without allowing your feelings to control you. Instead of just reacting, with detachment you are free to choose how you will act. You use thinking and feeling together, so you can make smart choices.

You are practicing detachment when you ...

• Don't get swept away by strong feelings

• Take time out before doing something you will regret

• Step back and look at your feelings

• Act instead of react

• Let go of things you cannot control

Of 218 countries, the U.S. Virgin Islands has the third highest rate of incarceration in the world.

You practice modesty when you accept praise without boasting and share your victories without boasting.

Virtue of the Week: Assertiveness

Being assertive means being positive and confident. You are aware that you are a worthy person with your own special gifts. You think for yourself and express your own ideas. You know what you stand for and what you won't stand for. You expect respect.

You are practicing assertiveness when you:

• Share your own ideas and feelings

• Tactfully tell others what you really think

• Don't allow others to lead you into trouble

• Avoid being aggressive or passive

The starting point in solving any problem is to correctly name it.

Frank Schneiger looks at the realities behind the slogan “do more with less,” which has popped up again in the current territorial budget hearings before the Senate.

In framing the proposed CFO issue, there would appear to be three critical points to be made.