Let the revolution begin!

Last week, hundreds of tourists bound for South Korea and Japan were stuck on the runway because our airport had no power. This wasn’t the first time, either. It is more than embarrassing; it is damaging to the one industry—tourism—that we depend on to keep our economy afloat. What will these tourists tell their friends and family upon returning home? Do we honestly think they will be coming back? No matter how many millions of dollars we spend annually trying to lure tourists to our islands, nothing tells our visitors we are fourth world quite like stranding them on an airplane for hours because the Saipan International Airport has no electricity.

Although the federal government just gave us millions to purchase back-up generators for the Saipan International Airport, it is reported it will take 500 days for the generators to get here. 500 days? What is going on here? Are they being sent from the planet Neptune? Are they coming from the future or another galaxy?

More tourists are choosing other destinations, including our neighbor competitor Guam, for a reason. It makes me laugh when I hear weak excuses such as “Guam has the U.S. military so their tourism is strong.” Ummm, hello? Japanese tourists aren’t going to Guam to see Navy sailors. They are going because more tour and travel agents are marketing Guam instead of Saipan because the CNMI is perceived as being fourth world. When you have 12-hour power outages and the power is out more than it is on, you can consider yourself a fourth world destination. And when you have no option but to fly from Guam to Saipan on a prop plane instead of a jet? Well, you get the picture.

Do we know why Japan Airlines pulled out of Saipan? Do we know why Continental left us? Do we know why businesses continue to open in Guam while no one wants to invest in Saipan? It is because investors do not trust our leaders, who have historically changed laws more times than I have changed my children’s diapers.

Speaking of dirty diapers, I believe things have gotten so bad that we have no option but to retire the old guard. How can anyone support the Republican Party after its dismal performance thus far? Like everyone else, I am sick and tired of campaign promises that are made just to get people elected. Leaders of the CNMI, do you want to impress us? Then lead by example. Turn in your leased cars, eliminate your slush funds, pay for your own gas, and pay for your own cell phone bills. If we all must suffer, why shouldn’t you? What makes you so special? Do you honestly believe you are entitled to such privileges? You are public servants, so start serving the public! And if you truly want to impress us, stop threatening the pensions of our present and future retirees. It’s not your money!

In case you haven’t heard already, the Retirement Fund trustees and most of our leaders believe that it is a good idea for the CNMI Retirement Fund to invest in CUC. Have they completely lost their minds? Do they understand what a bad investment is? Are they purposely trying to bankrupt the Retirement Fund? I want to remind you that it was the Republican Party that promised to protect the Retirement Fund from being “raided” in their mid-term platform of 2007. Before investing a penny of the Retirement Fund into CUC, I demand that all of our leaders withdraw their retirement and put it together with their lifetime savings and have them invest in our broken utilities corporation. If they are insane enough to do this, then I have some swamp land on Pagan I would like to sell them.

On another note, I would like to commend Staff Sergeant Fabian Indalecio for his letter to the editor last week. He said something that really moved me: “Here we are, going to another country to risk our lives to fight another corrupt government, even as it is happening in our own island.”

Staff Sergeant Indalecio is absolutely right. And I salute him and all our brave men and women who are fighting terrorism around the world and fighting for the freedom that we so enjoy. These are our true heroes. These are our true leaders. I am proud of each and every one of them and I pray for their safe return home.

I believe the least we can do as a people is to ensure that while our brothers and sisters are away risking their lives fighting terrorism, we will wage our own war and fight corruption on our homefront. This is my pledge and this is my commitment to all of our hometown heroes.

The revolution has already begun, but we need more soldiers to help carry out the mission of eradicating the corruption and nepotism that has plagued our islands for decades. If you are fed up with the status quo and OBN (“Old Boys Network”) politics and if you are ready to oust our typical tent-and-table politicians, call me at 483-7361 or e-mail me at edpropst@gmail.com. We need some new blood up at Capital Hill. We need new candidates who have the courage, determination, integrity, and the intellect to make the right decisions. This is our only salvation—real leaders willing to do what is right without succumbing to pressure from the familia and the old political guard.

I call on all good citizens to stand up and be counted, and help us derail the OBN train, because it has been headed in the wrong direction for far too long. No more…