Not all money is good money: Part I

Anyone who has played dominos and certainly anyone with morals know that not all money is good money as only criminals view all money as being good. It is almost common knowledge that this administration has tricked retirees into accepting what is literally bribe money for a vote. The governor’s political play was so strong retirees can’t even refuse the bribe money as it is automatic and only a fool would refuse money they can get out of this government anyway. But there is a way for retirees to turn this bad money into good money if retirees are smart.
Everyone, especially retirees, know that the government is wrong to force a casino in contempt of the two no votes, which makes any money or fruit from the casino poisonous (tainted) from its very conception. We really can’t expect a lot of good from something so scandalously created in contempt of the people and dividing the people. To make it worse, my many warnings about the need for us to know who the investor(s) are before we leap into creating a casino were completely ignored—another I told you so—confirming that our leadership is worse than a hard-headed child because they are hard-headed adults who just refuse to listen!

Our representatives on the Hill act like they are surprised that it was just two investors but if I knew there would be two, why didn’t they? No homework, duh? I wonder if they even understand what is happening because I know at least half of them are just playing follow-the-leader! I have been telling readers for the longest we are in the middle of an investor war to gain control of the CNMI’s gaming industry. That is what this is really about but many just can’t see or don’t want to see the big picture. But the investor(s) need to know that it is only a legislative law, not supported by the people that could and will be changed by referendum in November or by the next Legislature and new governor, especially if the economic initiative passes, because more and more people are saying they would rather see marijuana legalized and the removal of poker than a casino.

I know some retirees seem to think that the people who are against the casino are trying to take money out of their pockets. Well, FYI, retirees, the casino push started over a decade ago with the excuse of land compensation and there has been every excuse under the sun used; it just happened to stop at the 25 percent. Retirees were abused just so they could be used! I’m a retiree, too, and the first thing we need to hope for is that we even get the $30 million and that the Stars investors will get the bid. At least it will be good money and I will tell you why in Part II.

Retirees represent the largest voting bloc and if retirees vote yes to all the referendums and yes to the economic reform initiative, you will have led the way for the retirees to have two chances at collecting the 25 percent, fixing our economy and our financial challenges for many years into the future—it is really just that simple.

P.S.: I hope retirees are not so gullible (naive or suckers) as politicians are gloating over them getting their 25 percent in this election season. They are counting on you to be naive and give them your vote. Most of them are playing follow-the-governor and riding along with the economic political power play by the governor to get the retiree vote. Now readers know why it was such a rush job, done overnight after a decade as the casino could have easily gone on the ballot and done the right way this late in the year.

Ambrose M Bennett
Kagman, Saipan