Issues to seriously ponder

Policies, specifically their preparation, is vital for two reasons: 1). It could set the stage for opportunities to flourish; or 2). Things wither and slide into unsolicited hardship against the intended recipients—people. Like water, it can support the boat or sink it.

Today, our issues have become more complicated and difficult, given the competition for attention from a myriad of collateral issues. It makes it even more vital that we proactively partake in their formulation if only to ensure the long-term wellbeing of our people. The required participation is the reality we all must embrace responsibly. Critical thinking contributions are needed on each issue of substance, reflecting fully analyzed viewpoints.

For instance, a serious issue is the fiscal (financial posture) of the NMI government. Has revenue generation improved significantly allowing the local government to meet its many obligations? Or is it bankrupt absent an official admission?

The projected revenue for fiscal year 2015 is around $135 million. Subtract 80 percent for government salaries, including 15 percent for the Public School System. It leaves a balance of some $7 million for everything else or All Others.

Retirement: For the impending fiscal year, the settlement fund (SF) needs some $25 million to pay the 75 percent in retirees’ pension pay. If retirees are lucky and the balance of 25 percent is “restored,” it means the SF needs $56 million for this purpose. With a balance of $7 million how does the NMI pay for even for the 75 percent or $25 million? Simple arithmetic says it all.

Though the retirement program is history (for former DB and DC members), the unfunded liability of the Settlement Fund (for current retirees) is about $791 million. This fiscal challenge is like a two-headed snake that keeps returning every year. With an economy drowning it’s highly questionable we could meet SF obligation. It looks fiscally troubling, economically devastating! Yep! Our politicians ruined it all!

Healthcare: With major reduction in revenue generation, the challenge turns to paying for healthcare (CHC) that needs an annual budget of at least $32 million. Add health cost for employees and retirees who have opted out of their healthcare policies. Many have done just this for purposes of survival. Understandably, many have moved to Medicaid. This shift would drain the program of funds sooner than later. Would we have the funds for this eventuality?

Poor fiscal posture: The NMI’s fiscal posture is beyond anemic. It’s on life support system and the financial prognosis doesn’t look good in terms of recovery anytime soon. There are ways to dealing with the pile of fiscal mess and it takes resolute resolve to implement any of them in order to stay above water. The other partner, private industries, is floating with the tide of uncertainty to see if there’s any shift in the superstorm of negative investments.

Beyond government as the largest employer, is there anything else we could hang our hat on in terms of real time economic opportunities? Maybe there’s still hope amidst the grand dystopian mañana! Economic dystopia simply means, “Where nothing works!”

Clarion on policy: From the way things have gone where we’ve placed the “bull before the cart” or the “bull dislodging from the cart” the former headed elsewhere while the latter careens into doom’s land, you know this teeny paradise is in shambles. Something’s gone woefully wrong!

Interesting the apparent misperception about the dictates of policy. In simple terms, policy sets the tone for investment and every other card being shuffled by key players. I fail to see where we did realistic “due diligence” addressing real time fiscal or economic disaster. Everything has been and continues to be on an “ad hoc” basis or instant gratification. In short, we plan by rather than plan for eventualities. There’s an obvious need for clarion on policies.

Persistent fiscal fiasco shows that politicians just don’t have the wisdom and foresight to work responsibly on measures to rebuild investments. Sickening how policymaking is reduced to its infantile stage! Enough is enough!

Marpi land: The sword of vicious political corruption has started exploding thunderously in midair. Interesting the chime or assertion that decision on land requirement by Best Sunshine be premised on “What’s in the best interest of the NMI.” I respectfully disagree!

Focus must zero in on what’s in the best interest of the indigenous people. Shove the views of politicians aside and let BS deal with the real landowners. We know what we want and most of what have been spouted is so far removed from our aspirations. In short, what matters is the indigenous prism—how it wishes to see the use of its land for the advancement of its wellbeing.

If Best Sunshine has “our interest” at heart, would it be pushing for a virulent destruction of investment stability by seeking to pluck Kan Pacific from Marpi? Does it have any respect for indigenous aspiration to ensure investment stability? Screw the warped views of woefully shallow politicians. The indigenous people can dispose of its affairs competently!

Sweet potatoes: In my younger days, I’d watch my grand auntie plant sweet potatoes on empty spaces around the yard. Each harvest time, she’d cook it in coconut milk. She hands me a plateful. It was tasty and nutritious too.

Soon, I started helping her. Harvest time comes and my share is a fourth of a sack of sweet potatoes. I started my own at the backyard. She smiled when she saw me working on my own tiny garden.

Moral: With patience, humility and diligence we can plant our own fields of sweet potatoes (investments) so our haul with our children would be tenfold. Let’s do comprehensive planning for it. It can be done!