It’s report card time!

Voters expect report cards from current legislators seeking re-election and the credentials (background) of newcomers. This should be made available for review. Voters should review each credential before heading to the polls this November.

It’s only fair that we know that you do or don’t know what the job entails. Are you aware that it’s about policymaking? The usual accolade that comes with the office isn’t part of the equation as yet. Let’s buckle down to basics first.

Before you list your accomplishments—if there’s any—take a moment and listen intently to the voice of the people you represent. Are they are satisfied or unsatisfied with your performance? If you hear a confirmation of sorts in their dissatisfaction then you know your career may be headed into the sunset.

If there’s any single most important issue you all missed, what is it? Obviously, you must have been walking around with the aura of a “know it all” on issues that matter. In the process, you failed to improve the livelihood of your people. With this in mind, is there a legitimate reason for your re-election?

If you’re a newcomer, show us credentials or your professional background demonstrating your strong suit to engage in policymaking. In other words, what’s your academic and professional experience that qualifies you to do serious work in the formulation of public policy? Or is the term familiar or foreign to you? A simple explanation with substance would be helpful.

I’ve worked with the best minds in the Pacific region, ever so grateful for the rare opportunity to engage their intellectual wherewithal. So don’t think you’d do a walk in the park when I meet and seek answers from your nimble mind. I’d demand for your best shot!

Sizing up people for responsible positions came with the territory as a journalist. I’ve done it actively for over 40 years. I could tell if you can see beyond the years. If you’re second-guessing, it’s best you park it, pal! Avoid the hypocrisy!

When meeting candidates, ask them for their understanding of serious issues. In fact, ask them for an explanation. This is where you begin to see whether the thinking process moves on or disappears in garbled explanation. If it’s the latter, then you know the guy is second-guessing answers trying to sound like a marshland intellectual.

The work of leadership is heavy duty from A-Z. And if I may reiterate, thus the need for visionaries with clarity of understanding how to approach issues that matter so the end result benefits our people. If I may now digress into less heavy issues.

Too late Army!
No supplies: The hospital lacks critical supplies, but there’s thousands of dollars in taxpayers’ money to take the entire Cabinet to Rota twice for R&R. Admirable your mindfulness guarding the coffers. Have you looked into why even a doctor refuses to be treated at CHC? He wanted to be sent immediately to a hospital in Honolulu! Whatever happened to the “solutions driven” cabal? A bit too late army!

Walang pera: I’m not blaming CEO Esther Muna for the problems she has to endure given the lack of fiscal resources to fix the growing mess at CHC. No wonder Raffy, Biktot and legislators go off island to Manila’s St. Luke and Asian Hospital when something’s seriously wrong. I see that you prefer skipping town just so you leave the destitute to deal with rationed healthcare because you’ve failed us? Did someone say “solutions driven?”

Hardship: You look at family income NMI-wide and it’s easy to see that nearly every household has to accept forced abject poverty. The culture of communal sharing has lifted the heavy load a bit, though they look hopelessly to the hill to hear what the “solutions driven” team has to offer. Nothing! And you have the gall to waste our taxes?

No jobs: Returning scholars can’t find meaningful jobs at home. So they quickly head to jet ways and return to Guam, Hawaii and the U.S. mainland where opportunities and room for professional growth abound. Isn’t it the elected elite’s job to ensure that our kids find employment at home? Is the “solutions driven” team anywhere near the building?

Improvement? We hear occasional hand claps about improvement in the local economy. Yet there’s a 13 percent unemployment rate here or over 3,000 folks who are jobless. It isn’t rocket science stuff either but interesting how they try to fool the public with piles of lies. Eh, one plus one is two, get that pal?

Corruption: This year seems unique in the sense that we had to fork out fiscal corruption on Rota. It includes the $400,000 for the MV Luta, the alleged embezzlement and the rumored misappropriation of some $250,000 by CPA some two years ago.

The eggheads, some of whom are former lawmakers, have demonstrated superb reading deficiency and grand mañana convinced jungle rules allow ill disposition of public funds. Obviously, they’ve never reviewed the laws of the land on appropriation or the Open Government Act or both. And we leave disposition of our lives at their feet?

When eggheads engage in corruption, the net result is simple: it turns the livelihood of the people in the villages into instant hardship and unbearable anxiety. This elite culture behavior is bad all around. You’re supposed to empower or grant your people economic prosperity that lifts all boats. Obviously, you’re only looking out for number one—yourself!