Prelude to corruption is secrecy

The recent quick succession of legislative and executive branch approval of the casino law speaks volumes of how effectively the elected officials have marginalized the participation of our people. It was a complete perversion of the democratic process.
Half-cocked leadership simply skipped citizen participation, instantly turning on the lights of impropriety or suspicion even brighter. It must be the venal era in these pearly isles!

It boggles the mind why the secretive and instant railroading of the measure in both chambers and signed into law, again, away from public view and in silence.

It was announced in the GOP kickoff rally a week ago. I suppose it’s the crown jewel of the GOP. Secrecy on an issue of such magnitude doesn’t add credence but points to the obvious lack of “due diligence.”

The railroading confirms what a good friend once related to me, “The prelude to corruption is secrecy.” Right off the bat public officials have arrogated for themselves the view that they are the government and not “we the people” they represent in our governmental institutions.

Boggles the mind that policymakers (governor and Legislature) skipped the hearings after various trips to Hong Kong where deals must have been recklessly struck with their chosen exclusive licensee.

Appalling their lack of perception of the essence of representative democracy effectively omitting public hearings. Isn’t it in these public hearings that you clearly hear the voice of your people for or against substantive issues? What was your fear for slamming the doors against their face? Is secrecy the new norm now?

Do you recall the disastrously failed Obamacare no one ever read because Nancy Pelosi wanted to “…find out what’s in it later?” Don’t you see the importance of the open and deliberative process in this instance? You’ve royally failed the test of fiduciary responsibility!

Is it difficult understanding that the open and deliberative process of creating new laws give citizens the opportunity to weigh in on the merits or demerits of significant legislation, though the process was never perfect. But it is the hallmark of our representative government, true?

Isn’t the issue sufficiently significant, therefore, the dire need to let people you represent share their views? Isn’t “we the people” the government? Or have you redefined it to mean it’s all about you and selected special interests? There’s the adage, “The past indicates the future” and I’m sure you’re now quizzing your own fate for voluntarily sealing your own political career. Welcome home!

New casino law kills investments

Obviously, it wasn’t our interest that you took heart but rather the exclusive interest of your pre-selected investor and “what’s in it for me!” Is it right that you sacrifice the future of our people and children to ensure securing personal interest? Dalai `ste!

It’s obvious that your lack of depth of perception and foresight has killed the mega-investment planned for Tinian. Mega Star pulls back building the 1,000-room hotel and golf resort at the Kastiyu area. In fact, it has pulled back any further investments for the CNMI, floored in disbelief by deceit from local leadership on recently approved casino policy. It amounts to policy instability! The evil geniuses who designed and masterminded such investment destruction must be stunned by its lack of vision.

The fact that policymakers from both sides of Capital Hill have seen fit to short-circuit the normal review process is a tale of their fear of transparency. So it was given the royal exclusion of people they represent with the “we few evil geniuses” disposing of the measure. May I reiterate: The prelude to corruption is secrecy. Your action exacted our long held suspicion!

Crown jewel of hypocrisy

The House impeached former governor Benigno Fitial for lack of transparency in the power generation deal. Personally, Fitial would never be nailed for allegations of impropriety for everything was on the table. He may, however, be nailed for obstruction of justice, not corruption.

It gets hairy as relevant and focused questions are asked in the deposition process. The accusers must clearly establish that, in fact, corrupt acts were committed. It boggles the mind how corruption could be had when the discussion of the deal was on the table with CUC, AG, and Saipan Development LLL attorneys and technical experts present.

Or was the use of the term a wild assertion, hoping it lands somewhere to set up a case for political gain at all cost? So the guys and gals were reelected comfortably for preaching transparency. Wonderful!

Perhaps Speaker Joseph Deleon Guerrero could explain why the casino bill suffered miserably under the very standard of transparency he and cabal founded a year ago? Obviously, you people insisted on transparency against Fitial while violating the same standard when it came to your casino toy. It goes to show your spinelessness imposing the same against yourselves. I didn’t know you folks are superbly agile in turning transparency into hypocrisy!

Ignorance on the march

Legislators have confirmed deficits in academic and professional competency and have given us casino as the holy grail of salvation to a bankrupt local government.

Do these guys know what “soft” and “hard” money entails? Is this aspect in the casino law or amendments to incorporate it? Or was it left on the wayside in favor of breadcrumbs like license fees? Perception and vision must be the largest deficit upstairs!

The issue definitely merits placing it on the ballot this November. Let’s all sign the petition being circulated so we return this privilege for final disposition by the POWER of the people. It’s the thing to do so let’s join hands and do it right!

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