Immature racist immigration agenda

U.S. immigration is federal law, the control of which lies with the feds. It permits non-citizens who have been in any territory or state to apply for permanent residency after five continuous years of domiciliary. It sets the stage for U.S. citizenship over a 10-year period.

It’s federal law we can’t stop in any form or fashion. It has requirements that must be met, including annual income so the person doesn’t become a public charge.

For anti-immigration folks, why weren’t you at the Horiguchi Building when new U.S. citizens were taking their oath as the newest addition to the greater community of the U.S. of A? Or did you ever file a letter of protest to stop the process? What was the answer from US INS? It’s federal law we can’t stop, no matter where we go.

Do I have problems with people seeking to be legally a permanent part of the NMI community? Nope! In fact I welcome them here. We need their contributions for this has become “home” to their families. We’ve gotten along fine. We’ve shared problems, concerns and little victories standing side by side. Struggling to make ends meet pans out to everybody. It doesn’t discriminate or skip one over the other. It hits and hits woefully hard against, again, everybody!

I am Chamorro, partly Carolinian, and Pinoy. Do I know what percentage of my blood is from Ulul Atoll in Chuuk State or Visayas? Nope! Is there DNA technology that could decipher blood quantum? Nope! So why are we fooling ourselves with a nonexistent technology? Or does it feel good fooling our senses or is it now the new fad found only in the NMI? The disorienting discussion in immaturity is simply humiliating!

I grew up at the peak of the racial clash between Chamorros and Carolinians in the late ’50s. I never paid any attention to it until it finally landed in the sea of gradual maturity. I heard every condescending vile leveled against Carolinians in those days. But “people are people” and no matter their racial extraction, the pain, suffering and little victories we face never discriminate.

Finally, learn to live at peace with yourself so that when you venture outside you’d come to realize that, yes, “people are people” whose aspirations are the same as yours. Welcome home!

Wholesaling the NMI

Startling the subtlety with which incumbent GOP leadership on the hill has wholesaled these isles. It started with $30 million in casino money that paid for the 25 percent illegally cut by the Inos administration on retirees’ pension. We’re back to square one: 75 percent, right?

Best Sunshine came back with another $10 million to cover power bills for CUC customers, most of whom are voters. Reportedly, the 10 silvers came out of BSI’s so-called “community chest.”

Appalling how politicians have easily succumbed to ill-fated casino gambling law (without engaging due diligence) crystallizing greed. They simply ignored the voice of “we the people.” Why would they wholesale the NMI for a couple silvers?

I would be content or even ignore it. But the timing of the 10 silvers is highly questionable coming right before the eve of this year’s election. Would BSI come back in subsequent years and donate the same amount? Would the other two casinos on Tinian be as generous and magnanimous as BSI? If not, is there a reason for withholding as generous a contribution as BSI’s?

Let’s recapture and re-chart our future in a government “of the people, for the people and by the people.” We’re not ready to prolong leadership crisis! No mas!

Indigenous challenges ’15

In trying to understand the scattershot discussions on indigenous rights to self-government, disheartening that there doesn’t seem to be a framework for discussion in organized fashion what the concept entails according to the founding document. Have we been factually denied our rights to self-rule? If so, could this be quantified or is it off-the-hip rhetoric?

What’s the goal? Is it the use of the forum as launch pads for political careers? And so the goal then is about power? Shouldn’t this be redirected so it focuses on success and achievement in fostering true self-government? Shouldn’t this be founded on real rather than perceptual reality that begins with our owning up to our responsibilities as citizens to instill accountable and responsible government that lives within its means?

For instance, there are firewalls or constitutional provisions dictating expenditure of public funds, including a mandate to retire deficits. Yet we’re saddled with deficit spending that has reached crisis level. Why the loose attitude on this score? Isn’t this about how our tax contributions are spent? So why would you be afraid to say your piece?

Does the NMI really need a 29-member bicameral legislature? Has it produced quality policy matters addressing, with the view to improve, persistent economic and fiscal crisis? Do we really need a $4.8 million legislature so disconnected from the real familial economic issues of our people? Is this an issue we could resolve realistically to strengthen and give credence to our claim of self-government?

Does the CNMI need 2,500-plus employees? Has the quality of public services improved significantly with this many employees who receive their loot through taxes we pay? Or has it gone the other way? Do you still wish to pay this excess baggage when you could be using your tax contributions wisely to improve the wellbeing of your family?

If I may illustrate: The fiscal year 2015 budget totals about $135 million. Subtract 80 percent of it ($108 million) for government salaries that leaves a balance of $27 million for everything else. Do you see why the NMI can’t even pay its $23-million utility debt? Where’s the source of funds to meet federal-court ordered payment for the settlement fund’s 75 percent (retirement)? Like it or not, this government is bankrupt or broke! How do we resolve this fiscal mess?