The time for a revolution is now!

Second part of a series

Last week we discussed how we arrived at the pitiful state that we are in. Now let’s discuss how to create the revolution we need to improve our socioeconomic situation. Our islands contain the biggest assets to help us become stronger economically and a proud people. Any activity we engage in must include jobs and wealth for our people in the private sector, not the public sector of the government. What are the ingredients and assets needed to do so?

Land is one of the most important. We are blessed with four arable islands: Pagan, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. All of these islands have acres and acres of fertile land waiting to be tilled and give off their bounty.

Good weather is another ingredient that is needed to grow bountiful produce. We are blessed with year-round tropical warm weather allowing a year-round growing season. Rainfall is plentiful to water our produce.

People are needed. Our people are capable of farming and fishing, having performed these two activities as part our culture for centuries. Though we have recently strayed away from these activities, we can easily find our road back to them. There are many young men and women ready to take on these tasks.

Money will be needed to begin the revolution. Believe it or not, it is available. To engage in farming, huge sums of money are not needed. Only basic necessities are required, which are available. Federal grants are plentiful that will help farmers and fishermen learn how to maximize the output of our soil and ocean. Our local government agency the CDA, various banks, and the USDA will loan money to serious farmers.

A market must be available to take our output in great quantity. Guam is only a few minutes away with its huge tourist market of over 1,000,000 annually and a local population of 160,000. Add to that the huge military market waiting to be served. All are waiting for us to help supply their needs.

Many of us forget that the CNMI is very close to billions of potential buyers. Next door, only a few hours away, are China, Japan, and Korea with over a billion and a half people who must eat three times daily! It boggles the mind that we have no confidence that we can participate in these monster markets with their insatiable appetites. Our produce is as good as any grown elsewhere.

We have all the basic ingredients: land, growing season, people, money, and market. But two more ingredients are needed. One is a determination coupled with a strong will and a belief in ourselves that we can successfully mix the ingredients. Secondly, we need a means of transportation for our goods to market.

We have heard of the air cargo bridge that is being built that will join all the islands from Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam and back. It is called Arctic Circle Air. The airline company has been purchased and the first plane has been purchased. In about a month or two the company will begin its services. The market is waiting. Over 40 farmers on the three islands have already promised to begin growing the produce and fruits needed. All the ingredients are there. Now let us mix them properly. Imagine how many more people will be able to enjoy the fruits and produce we will produce to feed them. See how all of these begin to fall into place once we make up our minds to help ourselves.

Until we regain control of our economy, we will never truly prosper. Government employment is no longer the answer. All it does is squeeze from us, the private citizens, to pay its public employees. We need to reduce the number of public sector employees and transfer them to the private sector. Remember Dec. 31, 2014, is fast approaching. The majority of our nonresident workers will be departing. We had better be prepared to fill in.

In addition to returning to the land and the ocean, we must consider another avenue. Let us become shop owners such as grocery stores and barber shops and beauty parlors. Let us open restaurants and serve local produce and fish to our customers. Think how much more money will stay and circulate on the islands. We have jobs waiting but we don’t know how to take advantage of them.

Consider a small business requiring little capital except the desire to do so. Many tourist spots have a small cottage industry known as “bed and breakfast,” owned and operated by local homeowners. It works this way: tourists coming to Saipan, Tinian, or Rota can choose to live in a private home instead of a hotel. The homeowner with one or two spare bedrooms rents these to tourists who pay for the night and for breakfast. It’s that simple. Turn your home into a small inn and earn good money.

Look at the following “bed and breakfast” industry description. The United States Bed and Breakfast (B&B) industry includes about 20,000 establishments with combined revenue of more than $2 billion! No major companies operate in the industry. The B&B industry is highly fragmented. Very few operate more than one establishment. By contacting www.Hoovers.com we can join this organization that will do online reservations for us for any country. To learn more, check the Internet by simply putting in “bed and breakfast industry.” The information is overwhelming.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleading that you join in making our economy grow again by becoming a part of two major ventures. Consider supplying fruits, vegetable, fish and any value-added products we can make to Arctic Circle Air Company. Consider investing in this company with whatever amount you feel you wish to become a part of this wave.

Become a part owner with your shares and join in. Call me at 287-8310 and I will be glad to discuss details. Many of your friends already have. We want this company to be locally owned and operated.

Another venture is the raising of animals, especially pigs for the Marianas Meat Processing Co. Why import pork or beef when we can provide our own? The company also is inviting local investors to become a part of its organization. Call me also for details. Become a part owner.

Shouldn’t we be proud to become a part of helping ourselves in some way rather than stand by and whine at how bad the economy is? The government cannot pull us out of this dilemma. It needs us to create marketing activities that will create more tax revenue. The government cannot and does not create wealth; it uses it to feed itself.

What is presented above is only a starter to what we can do to assist ourselves. I apologize for repeating the same theme over and over again, but it is there and we must listen to it and dance to it. I would rather try and fail than say it cannot be done and not do anything because of my fear and narrow channeled mind.

We have the ingredients and assets. Now let’s put them to work! Look in the mirror at ourselves and determine to act today. Let’s not sit on our buts (excuses). Let the revolution begin. It will be our major awakening. Revolutions begin when one person says: “Basta! We must change!” Let’s do it!

Remember to smile through all of this. Our smile will create another smile and another smile until we look up and see the rainbow over our heads with its pot of gold at the end, or should I say, acres of diamonds. Have a great week!