The light at the end of the tunnel

The CNMI’s general elections are quickly approaching. In eight months, we hope to elect leaders who have the hearts to do what is right, the minds to ensure that they know what they are doing, and the stomachs to handle the political pressure from the old boys’ network who insist on doing things “the old way, because that’s how it’s always been done!” We hope to elect leaders based on their qualifications, not familial ties. We hope to elect frugal leaders who drive their own cars and pay for their own gas, pay for their own cellular phone bill, eliminate or reduce discretionary/slush funds, and travel only when the U.S. Congress, President Obama, or God Himself asks them to. In essence, we hope to elect real leaders who will practice what they preach and will be sure to uphold their campaign promises once in office.

While I continue to hope and pray for new visionaries to step up and lead us to the promised land of better times, I continue to hear “excuses” from good people why they are not willing to run. Here are a few:

If I run for House or Senate, I will make less money than what I am making now. Please realize that many who proudly serve in our Armed Forces and put their lives in harm’s way are not getting paid what they deserve, especially those who serve in the most troubled regions of the world. They do it for country. If a soldier sacrifices and courageously serves his or her country, would it be asking too much for you to serve your beloved commonwealth for a few years? While our soldiers heroically risk life and limb in their battle against terrorism, would it be asking too much for you to wage a war against corruption, nepotism, rampant crime, drug lords and drug abuse, and a myriad of other problems that have plagued our community for far too long? If you are willing to serve the CNMI for two or four years as a leader and implement bold measures that benefit our people, then our entire commonwealth prospers, and that includes you.

I don’t want me or my family to get criticized and slandered. This is something I have heard frequently. These days, Jesus Christ Himself would get criticized if He decided to run. Online critics like “Browny” and “Proud Filipina” and “Wolverine” would probably say, “Jesus Christ?! Who does He think He is? The son of God?!” or “Where has this guy been for the last 2,000 years and only now He wants to run for office?” Yes, it is true. The crude online critic gallery has gotten very ….well, crude. I suppose that when people are able to hide behind anonymity or an alias, saying nasty things is quite easy, and perhaps even therapeutic, as it provides an outlet to vent their frustrations and anger. But I often wonder, would they make such crass comments publicly in a forum or to your face, or would they write such spiteful things if we all knew who they were? Perhaps not. Even if you were able to walk on water or part the blue sea, expect criticism and realize that you are not alone. I can assure you, it will be rough at first, but once you get through it, it will only make you more resilient and more determined to do the right thing.

It costs too much money to run.” I used to think the same thing, but evidently, times have changed. Rep. Tina Sablan proved this by running a campaign that was, to say the least, unorthodox. She spent less money on her campaign than many spend for a night out on the town. Tina ran an unconventional campaign because she believed in her heart that tents and tables and 20-foot poster boards were no longer necessary to get a person elected. With that said, not all of us are Tina Sablans, and I still believe in intelligent campaigning and good marketing strategies. I firmly believe you can get elected on a shoestring budget if you are willing to put on your running shoes and go house to house and remember to always be upfront and honest with your constituents. Voters are very fickle these days. Tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. Tell them not just what you are going to do, but how you are going to do it. And as far as getting your name out there? Letters to the editor certainly help. So does viral marketing: e-mails, Facebook, Myspace, blogs, etc. Embrace technology. It is inexpensive and it can be very effective if done right!

If you really want the CNMI to be a better place, then expect to play a part in the movement for improvement. If you do not want to throw your hat into the political arena, then at the very least be forthright. Voice your opinions and tell candidates not what you expect from them, but what you demand from them. When leaders are doing something you feel is wrong, call them up and tell them. If you see a bad bill being introduced, go up and rally against it! Let our leaders know where you stand! Smiling and kissing them and then talking trash behind their backs only exacerbates the secret wheeling and dealing and dishonest politics that we have grown accustomed to.

If every single person in the CNMI could be open and honest with each other from this day forward, we could stop talking about the problems of the CNMI and start doing something about it. The solutions to our problems have been answered numerous times in forums and in letters to the editor. Now it is just a matter of finding the right leaders who will take the ball and run with it.

As far as criticism goes, remember these wise words from Aristotle: “Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”

The time for change is right now, and it begins with you. Brothers and sisters, please take a good look in the mirror. You just might be our beacon of light at the end of this dark tunnel.
[B] Ed Propst[/B] [I]Dandan[/I]