Geopolitical issues

There are geopolitical issues that have local implications. Seldom are they on our radar screen. We ignore them, though it is vital that we secure nuanced understanding what they are as they evolve at a higher level. Furthermore, everything that happens nearby should matter to us, too.

An informed friend asserted that China wants to rule the Asia-Pacific region alone. He noted that on the global economic front she’s surpassed Japan and is now second after the United States. “Next, it’s the geopolitical front where she would eventually rule the two regions.”

The assertion seems to support a study by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. (Asian Studies). Said he: “China’s economic policies are increasingly mercantilist. It is developing military capabilities to exclude others from operating in Asia. Beijing is no friend of democracy.” He noted the emergence of the Quad Dialogue that would hopefully intercede via discussions for peace over weaponry or warfare.

“China is going to be China. That’s not going to change anytime soon. So unless the nations that have the power to punish bad behavior and take constructive steps, the neighborhood is going to get worse for everybody,” according to Carafano. China’s expansive role, especially on investments all over the world, would make for greater use of intellectual or neighborly rather than “kaboom” diplomacy. Another scholar is of the view that China is out to change regional order in Asia and the Pacific.

Now, China wants the U.S. to accept a working relationship as the world’s two most powerful countries globally. Would this pan out when President Jinping visits D.C.? Recently, Japan and China have turned “agree to disagree” into an art. Interesting!

Information is power
Most folks have simplistic, if any, understanding of what investments entail. And so they listen and accept tidings at face value. Therefore it’s hard to connect the dots where a certain investment is headed up ahead.

We’ve become servile bystanders, sitting at the fence watching the casino baseball game. The NMI home team isn’t sure if it is playing baseball, softball, or tennis. So you could imagine the colossal frustration coaching our team. For all we know it could end up a Russian roulette at day’s end.

It seems a pattern, though, (even across the country) where legislators take the quick exit into casino as the Holy Grail in rebooting a state economy. Bankruptcy has forced closure. Even the methodology used to project the missing revenue had to be revamped.

China’s President Xi Jinping advised Macau to diversify its economy. This too should be the order of business here. The fickle tourism industry can never be the single driving engine of the local economy. Must move into other areas of even employing modern paradigms in farming and fishing.

As it is we don’t have an economic plan and so this was hurled to the Commonwealth Development Authority to handle. Don’t recall CDA trumpeting “Solutions-Driven Leadership.” Gee, is there hope ahead especially for the people in the villages?

CHC’s fiscal debacle
We’ve toyed with excesses or a bloated government we can’t afford. The purposeful negligence is now knocking viciously at our front door: CHC needs money to clear its utility bill. It can’t fork out what it owes CUC to the tune of over $14 million.

Since the days of the impeached former governor, there wasn’t a dedicated effort to ensure CHC is funded on a timely basis. Legislators played along, ignoring that the hospital needs at least $40 million per year for its operations. Their attitude is despicably abominable!

Why is CUC charging CHC and PSS commercial rates? Shouldn’t this be limited to what’s known as preferred rates? None of the two entities are designed to venture into profit making schemes. Their roles are limited to healing the sick and educating our children. Is this too blurred an issue to see with clarity?

The blame game is useless. Real problem solving is staring at the elected elite to step forward for real-time answers. Well, it’s a challenge you’ve accepted. Let’s see you converge to resolve this issue once and for all.

The budgetary shortfall is still below water. So snorkeling isn’t going to do the job. Never mind contracting hypoxia. You must dive and swim with the sharks to find real-time answers. After all, it’s our only hospital!