Sizing up the NMI’s future

“Sunrise I sigh, sunset I cry, at midnight I’m in between and wondering why”.

—From Time, a folk song by Peter, Paul and Mary.

The popular trio isn’t singing about a failed island economy. But when people talk about hardship these days (bad economy) it includes costly power bills, cut in pension pay, the a huge increase in health insurance, deductibles and medication; salaries that have remained the same (stagnant) for over 10 years (underemployment), and the impending increase in basic food items. It’s known as the cost of living that has mercilessly skyrocketed by at least 20 percent.

The projected revenue for next fiscal year (same as last year’s at $123 million) is a serious indicator that the NMI economy is deep in the filthy ditch of debts and deficit spending. Would the Holy Grail of this mess—casino—offer the ultimate salvation for the mounting financial mess? It’s a wonderful mouth off that would run way short of anticipated revenue of more than $40 million. So there goes your salvation.

A government that is piled with heaps of debts and continues spending beyond its means doesn’t offer much room to maneuver working on economic growth programs in order to begin turning our canoe of bankruptcy to the open waters of opportunities. Not when power bills have effectively shut down a lot of small businesses—the backbone of any community—and not when this same beastly cost robs the poorest of families of what’s left of the family pocketbooks. This is where you hear the true sentiments of villagers. This is where you literally see how they juggle egregious hardship—paying for costly power bills or buying food for the family.

The poor economic condition has even forced legislators to approve pension obligation bond. It’s basically a huge loan and interests of over $200 million that must be paid by saddling our children with debts that compromises their economic freedom. It means other taxpayers who are not beneficiaries of the pension program must pay for a loan that robs them even further of their meager income. Is it fair robbing Jose so Juan could get his retirement check?

The pain and hardship of the economic mess is especially acute and critical among families in the villages. Would the cost of power decrease or would the exact opposite occur? Would retirees recover the loss of the 25 percent arbitrarily cut by this administration? Would DB members who withdrew their money be paid the interest owed? Would there be upward salary adjustments to ease the cost of living? Or is it better for villagers to rely on their prayers?

Indeed, we’ve mouthed-off the essence of self-government and I couldn’t agree more. But essential to the exercise of self-government is the ability to rein in the unbridled spending habit that has ditched this government beyond our wildest imaginings. It’s time to summon the culture of responsibility forthwith. It’s the only way to reclaim what’s ours and rebuild the bridge of hope for our children. Otherwise, we’d all be humming heedlessly in the midnight of hopelessness, “wondering why.”

For the young folks

Definitely, you must have been pondering what the future holds for you as you begin eyeing taking your permanent place in our community. Has anyone championed your aspirations for a hopeful and brighter tomorrow as a contributing member of the NMI? Or has apathy from leadership left you stranded and abandoned? Need it be this way?

There’s no organized program of education and subsequent assimilation into careers and room for continuing education. Yet tired or exhausted politicians keep mouthing off about the future of our young people. Give `em an AWOL (absent without official leave) from their fiduciary duties. After all, leadership entails a single most important trait: listening. Most haven’t heard you yearning for an opportunity for personal and professional development. They thought they did, but didn’t.

Leadership also entails helping and giving others real opportunities to improve their lot or livelihood. Call it wisdom and wealth. How true that it isn’t how much you have but how much you’ve given away generously to help others move forward. Only when your pocket is empty for giving generously would it be refilled with greater rewards. They’ve kept everything to themselves in what’s known as self-interest.

You can definitely play a major role electing academically and professionally competent policymakers who understand the depth and substance of issues. Unless the initial stage is in place, positive and progressive policymaking turns into a useless exercise. This you can change, beginning this general election. You owe it to yourself and the younger ones behind you. Change starts with the self. Reclaim what’s yours and let’s begin rebuilding the fallen bridge of economic prosperity.

Listening

Young as you may be and teeming with lots of energy, take the time to keep your ears to the ground, listening to your peers speak fearfully about their tomorrows. What they say through the heart also involves you and your future. Thus, the urgent need to listen to them.

You share common concerns about what lies ahead. It’s time to move in and help rebuild the pathway to economic prosperity so home becomes a meaningful place for you as you start taking your seat in this community. Be an active part of a future that grants you and your peers real opportunities right here at home.

When you become an active participant in rebuilding our islands, you would have prepared the way for younger folks to look forward enthusiastically into a bright new break of dawn. As hard as it may seem, let’s join hands and begin anew.

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