Trouble ahead for NMI

As the fiscal crisis takes new heights and temporary scaffolds removed, we’d all be back to square one: broke! Well, some not so wise accountant advised, “Only on paper!” I was like, “What about papers in the bank, do they reflect a robust amount in revenues?” No answer!

When one is paper broke, would scouring the edges of the yellowish document show figures that the NMI has tons of locally generated revenue? I mean you could kite it but isn’t this illegal? Let’s do a quick review:

Total revenue for fiscal year 2015 is $135 million. Less 15 percent for PSS and 80 percent for government payroll and there’s a balance of $7 million. For this fiscal year, the settlement fund needs $25 million excluding the 25-percent cut last October. It’s part of the settlement agreement!

But if the 25 percent is restored, it means the Fund needs some $56 million, give or take. CHC, CUC and other Cs also need operating budgets. How do we divvy $7 million? Definitely not wearing bifurcated lenses!

Admonishment
Magoo admonished, “You see, bruddah, sometime it’s good to keep your opinion to yourself.” Told him I wasn’t looking for loot from seasoned and corrupt politicians. Nor am I ready to sell and trash the tradition of these isles for 30 silvers!

“But you see bruddah da kine boys in the GOP have ‘solutions-driven’ style of leadership that pays the 25-percent pension pay cut and some Ulithi [utility] bills”, he pointed out.

Lia came roaring in, “Your GOP boys cut pension pay illegally and the payment made is to pay back retirees for money denied them unconstitutionally. So it isn’t a “solution driven” decision. The GOP created the mess in the first place.” Oooops! A pointed answer but true! Eh, da kine reply took out da kine wind from Magoo’s assertion.

“As for your Ulithi payment, how long would this generosity last?” asked Lia. “It looks a one-shot deal as Ulithi bills keep increasing and power delivery highly suspect today, right?” Magoo didn’t like the hard crusty queries and answers crawling out of Lia’s pockets. He looked around like he’s lost his key bunch just to avoid the discussion.

Lia unleashed it all: “It looks clever or smart but far from a wise decision. People know the score on this issue and treating them like starved stray dogs flushes out any sense of respect for those at the GOP helm, bruddah.” Hmmm! Am I in the wrong crowd?

Healthy dosage of the classics
Enjoyable listening to old songs that evokes varied reactions depending upon what nostalgia brings with it. You could get romantic instantly, melancholy, rejuvenation, river of tears, thought of a long lost friend or loved ones, or days of yore, among others.

An established musician myself of nearly 30 years, I prefer listening to what’s known as the “classics” for their beautiful melodies and meaningful lyrics. The songs include Over the Rainbow, Stardust; I’m in the Mood for Love, Hawaiian Wedding Song, Stars Fell in Alabama, September Song, Moon of Manicura, Danny Boy, Here’s That Rainy Day, among hundreds of them. What’s a classic? Music you could hear played in over 1,000 radio stations the world over every hour.

Over the years, though, I’ve played the classics on guitar because of their melodic tunes and level of difficulty. You simply must know how to play melodic chords including embellishment with comping. Going through the process teaches you razor sharp use of your chords like flats, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth; eleventh and thirteenth or augmented pressed with precision.

I’ve delved into jazz (old standards and smooth jazz) having developed an ear for it. It’s the more complicated level you’d never appreciate unless you’re into it. Interesting, though, that two of my granddaughters could belt out jazz songs like second nature. At first I thought it was just something out of their memory. Nah! They said, “Grandpa, give me a C-6 C-Major-7” as they sang “I’ve got you under my skin”, among others. Wow! And I thought it’s limited to this old timer. It’s in my grandchildren too!

Music is a nice relief valve of sort when hit with boredom. They’ve eased and calmed my mind as I regroup to think things through in troubled corners. It’s healthy, though, clinging to music throughout the course of the day. Other than prayers, it becomes that soulful outlet that eases your day as dusk engulfs the horizon out west.

Around the holidays I’d move in and out of traditional and religious melodies. We also have our versions sung in churches all over the islands. You hear the choir belting out the same songs as they do the veneration of the Baby Jesus throughout the villages. Heard the beautiful renditions a long, long time ago in the old village. Humbling!

Having traveled north and south of the equator, I’ve also heard traditional songs from Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. In all their expressions, it’s about cultural tradition and the essence of passing it on to the next generation. Each group of islanders sings with pride representing their island countries in Pacific festival events. My only trouble was the NMI and Guam singing the same theme: Hafa Adai. A delegate sitting next to me asked, “John, half-a-what?” I nearly said, “Half-a-brain!”

Interesting the national songs of most of these island nations had clear link with their colonial conquerors. Ours is the combination of two German songs. Still love the classics.