Essence of self-government

Since 36 years ago, we took over the reins of self-government under a permanent arrangement with our national government under a duly approved Constitution.

We were filled with enthusiasm and hope for brighter tomorrows under a government, electing our own public officials Marianas-wide, including a non-voting delegate to the U.S. Congress.

There were good and bad days when we had a thriving economy. Today, we are at the brink of near total economic annihilation for our lack of vision and leadership. We’re now eyeing exporting cattle to nearby Guam, a huge economic leap forward!

Some have blamed Uncle Sam for failing to provide for a “progressively higher standard of living.” We do so, openly ignoring the seven-year guaranteed funding intended to set up the CNMI’s economic foundation and growth. We attained it in the mid-’80s and ’90s. We had tons of money that we even told Congress in 1993 (the undersigned was at that U.S. congressional hearing) to sever any further grant funds for CNMI government operations.

Perhaps the hangover of the boom years had eluded our nimble minds when the garment industry started dismantling to deploy elsewhere, coupled by the Asian crisis that adversely lowered the boom on tourism. Leadership failed to see the impending drop and annihilation of the local economy. I even took photos at La Fiesta Mall in San Roque of businesses closing to show leadership that something’s gone terribly wrong. But it opted to ignore it over a more responsible approach.

The “river of no return,” a seemingly fitting metaphor, started rolling down the hills of the NMI, taking everything in its path right into the abyss of the deep blue. Today, we have a cumulative deficit of some $1.2 billion we addressed with quick fixes like the Saipan casino law.

I never knew that driving the NMI into every fiscal ditch was part and whole of the plan to bankrupt our so-called self-government. So we sigh and ponder “what now?” that includes policymakers who never had any clue what happened. Wow! What trophy in arrogance, if not ignorance, or both!

A lot of the miscalculations revolve around shortsighted policies that cater to the “now” culture so pathetically far removed from thoughtful review of the long-term effects of half-cocked measures. It resembles the mindset that increasing minimum wage would create wealth for the lowest rung of folks in the pay scale. It seems shortsightedness is a new forte here.

We need not subscribe and firm up the instant soba mindset. We have sufficient educated human resources to sit down to plan the future of these isles. Right now, I could name four issues to ease the hardship of our people in the villages.

Stunning that our so-called leadership has stared at the same issues with blurred vision, ill-equipped to grab them so they gradually move the needle of growth forward. Too many sleepy heads on the switchboard it’s humiliating!

Why are we convinced that self-government includes ensuring the insolvency (bankruptcy) of the NMI government? It need not be this way and with some sense of vision and spiritual being we could reset our buttons and change the ugly faces of misery and destitution from devouring our livelihood permanently. It is all in the palm of our hands.

Wealth and jobs creation, anybody?

The concept, apparently missed oceans apart by so-called leadership, requires planning that involves key sectors of the local community. This is vital so that policies such as the Saipan casino law do not destroy opportunities for Tinian and Rota or self-destruction of our way of life. Obviously, we exacted the complete opposite.

Not only did the new law slam planned investments on Tinian and Rota, but the entire CNMI for that matter. It shows the obvious lack of perception, clarity, and foresight in policymaking. It was saddled with the instant soba mindset that excluded “we the people.”

It was a shortsighted law that obviously must have lured Da Big Boys into the nether land of “Pay To Play” culture, confirming once and for all that our interests as permanent host of these isles doesn’t matter at all. We did nothing but deepen the roots of uncertainty, suspicion, and corruption on these isles.

Why would so-called leadership gamble away the future of our children? Didn’t our ancestors strengthen the culture of responsibility since centuries ago? Why would we risk destroying the last ship of hope in peace and tranquility that we enjoy as islanders right here at home?

If anything, casino did nothing but dispose the apparent lack of spiritual being in the pro-casino legislators who risked everything for failing our people in their fiduciary responsibility. Well, if you can’t see beyond your myopic views, please step aside for we are ready to take back what’s ours. We know that together with our educated young people we can begin planning and rebuilding our future without pro-casino legislators.