Finding home once more

The CNMI is a permanent part of the American political family since 34 years ago. The agreement, if I may reiterate, establishes a permanent relationship. Our progress, coupled with self-inflicted setbacks, led to greater ruination of self-government through unintended miscalculations and consequences from both sides of the Pacific Divide.

The question is: How do we begin formal discussions with the feds amidst a superbly dysfunctional relationship? More specifically, would there be federal bailout or assistance if this government suffers prolonged financial paralysis? How do we deal with alleged leadership snoozing on the job while hardship torches the livelihood of villagers in these isles?

But this and other important issues have been shoved aside in favor of posturing as though the CNMI is a sovereign entity. There’s the preferred arrogance that often slides into incendiary comments and bigotry, ugly in all its form. But did we get anywhere and must not this issue be addressed formally to commence healthy discussions?

As this relationship worsens, some 84 major regulations would be implemented, including 144 pending ones. These regulations require time, energy, and focus to ensure that they don’t necessarily render these isles permanently ruined. But nobody seems to place importance in the eventuality of these new sets of dictates from across the Pacific. Shall we regroup?

Keeping out destructive regulations

My expectations for real time performance among the elected elite that they ward off destructive regulations aren’t lofty or unrealistic. They can be done with due diligence. I just can’t pin down why the apparent indifference, apathy, and muted voice laced with destructive mañana. Didn’t they promise to work to improve the lot of governance?

Why allow more major regulations to compromise the right of governance to self-government. Isn’t it true that government and its mandates hail from the “consent of the governed?” Or is this concept too difficult to understand, much less defend?

Why the obvious coalescence in negligence to critically review the implementation of major regulations? This is where our Washington office, local administration, and Legislature must constantly converge to trump out their cards on the ramifications of heavy-set regulations descending from DC. If it’s horrifically bad for small businesses across the country; it’s doubly bad for a small island business community. Hello, anybody home?

Creation of administrative state

Conservative contributors (nationally credentialed authors) have pointed out the creation of the federal government into an “administrative state” emanating from too many costly regulations. It would cost mainland businesses billions of dollars on combined application and compliance fees.

Aren’t these issues sufficient to send a wake-up call to local leadership? Do we continue the persnickety attitude in perpetuity as major regulations strap the CNMI from strengthening and refining its democratic institutions while blocking economic annihilation? The seeming ignorance and negligence isn’t helping the CNMI any.

Allowing lordship via negligence

As a consequence, major regulations would invariably create a lordship of federal bureaucrats who were never elected by governance across the country and territories. But this form of dictation in absentia emerges when we ignore political and intellectual integrity, two components of self-governance obviously lacking today. In short, the CNMI can’t consistently employ its wonderful sleepwalking as to trash its fiduciary and socio-economic obligations.

Glimmer of hope

There’s a glimmer of hope, though, as the US Congress critically reviews the REINS Act (Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny). The measure, if approved, would require new regulations slated to cost more than $100 million each returned to Congress for approval.

Initially, it grants us hope that someone in DC is looking out for the interest of governance across the country. But it’s equally concerning that this alternative remains the growth hormone for a far larger “administrative state” or federal government that would literally breath fire down our throats. Kilili and the administration must shove aside petty demagoguery and focus on the task at hand.

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Call for proactive leadership

When push comes to shove as a result of heavy degeneration in annual revenues, a question emerges: What plans are there to cut excess baggage? Are investment plans (if the NMI has any) sure-footed, capable of providing economic cushion to ward off the inevitable reduction in resources, thus the workforce?

Is there room to rebuild the burned bridges with the feds? If not, is there an alternative to fostering a form of synergistic working relationship with Washington? Or do we carry on with the adolescent attitude that the CNMI is a sovereign island nation, completely off the mark and completely removed from the permanent agreement known as the Covenant?

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Pointless revolt in ignorance

We’ve spent valuable time revolting against ourselves in our plantation of arrogance while pouting incendiary remarks against everybody dissimilar to us. It’s very American to disagree, but we need to focus our dissenting views in a professional manner so it hits the target head on. In brief, the word “concentration” isn’t sufficient.

We need to “focus” on exactly what’s at issue based on a set of facts. There’s a humongous difference between concentrating and focusing. The former is analogous to turning on your flashlight. The latter needs the use of laser beam light for specific target hits.

Yes, there’s the continuing debate on Article 12. I wanted to untangle this racist beast to death in order to foster harmony amongst all citizens. It is a God-given right, so who is the principal author of this ill-conceived constitutional provision to change what’s unalienable? Who is he to change a God-given right included and acknowledged under the First Principles, morphed into the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution?

Supremacy of laws: The CNMI Constitution is subservient to the U.S. Constitution, the latter widely known as the paramount “law of the land.” We need to reinvent or recalibrate our understanding of our moral obligations as U.S. citizens. It’s the only road that will take us back home where we could be at peace with ourselves and everybody else.

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John DelRosario Jr. is a former publisher of Saipan Tribune and a former secretary of Department of Public Lands.