A view into 2018

Looking into the 2018 political contest makes for interesting sizing up of prospective candidates, especially as it relates to the most coveted seat here.

You gauge the pulse of the community and you see two completely differing views. From within, you see a field of roses in a garden, but viewed from without the same place look wildly overgrown, with marshland reed in a filthy swamp.

I’ve kept pace with events as they unfold, calling a spade a spade. Indeed, some of the Lulu boys and girls are miffed for stepping on their neatly pedicured toenails. Well, I relish the adversarial relationship against unscrupulous politicians in favor of “we the people.”

It remains the basic tenet of responsible journalism to search for the truth, trumpeting the same to the multitude. It definitely includes your performance on issues as our alleged representatives.

As the year turns into the sunset, it leaves behind indelible record of performance people see and use to gauge how their so-called representatives meet fiduciary duty. On a scale of one to 10, how do you rate your job, empowering families to meet obligations beyond mediocrity and complacency?

And other than your sterling performance raising your salaries, what have you done for the hardworking (13,000-plus employees) receiving poverty income level and below?

Furthermore, why are the prices of basic goods on the increase and is this an issue with you? Doesn’t this require research work?

At any rate, you need laser sharp knife to cut through a pile of critical reviews of your performance from “we the people” next year!

Still is the economy, stupid! Islandwide robberies and thefts are mercilessly on the increase, confirming woefully bad economic conditions at home. Negative activities blossom as the means to pay for gambling, heavy drugs or the sheer joy of destroying people’s properties. This is very alarming!

The “young and the jobless” roam the streets, inflicting damage to family property like it’s the fourth of July. Whatever happened to economic improvements and have they trickled down to families NMI-wide?

High salary: But did you know your so-called representatives would be raking in an annual salary of $75,000 to $135,000 per year beginning 2019? It’s a question taxpayers must know forthwith.

The misery taxpayers face could have been slammed instantly had Raffy vetoed the measure. But he let it slide, becoming law without his signature.

Of the 50 states, only nine have fulltime legislatures, the rest are part-time. Nebraska and Arizona have part-time legislatures and pay their representatives $12,000 and $24,000 per year, respectively. Arizona’s salaries require approval by the voters.

Now, the loot for legislators from Tinian and Rota is $135,000 per year. This requires critical OPA review, especially the additional amount given for monthly expenses, e.g., $2,500 for Saipan legislators and $5,000 for Tinian and Rota. This is on top of their salaries. The elected elite is still ahead by as much as $49,000 per year over the 13,000-plus working class earning poverty level income.

Pointed the questions may be and painful politically, but “we the people” deserve answers over the tiptoe you now use to avoid being held accountable.

Vetting issues: Major issues require strong organization and purpose so there’s thorough review on matters of substance like the local economy, according to former speaker Oscar C. Rasa.

Said he: “It’s a must under any administration that should include appointing policy staff; deciding on policy goals, strategy and tactics; keeping the staff from descending into the infighting that inevitably besets any large organization; providing regular oversight of evolving policies to make sure they adhere to the governor’s goals; setting up channels and a process to get input from the legislature and legal advisers; writing a very detailed plan that provides guidance to staff and legislators, and reassurance to the public; and having a political and communications strategy lined up long before he rolls out his plan.”

The former speaker has superb academic and professional experiences. He said that the suggestion may look cumbrous and unnecessary, but it’s a must to enlist a united legislative and Cabinet support in moving the NMI’s agenda forward amidst challenges of the digital age Couldn’t agree more!

Policy instability: Would there ever come a time when we wake up to the morning sun, confident that our future is in the palm of our hands? When do we conquer adolescency that seems to be resting comfortably on the lap of mañana in perpetuity?

Over the years the NMI gained the reputation of midstream shifts in its policies. This is really frustrating but it seems a treasured halo floating above our oversized heads. We upped the ante with a polished model of perennial mistakes wrapped in political correctness to avoid resolution.

After nearly 40 years in self-government, I was hoping we would outgrow adolescency and begin resolving perennial issues in forthright fashion. But we haven’t done anything in stride beyond que sera.

The new culture spreads into other vital areas of pursuit, compromising everything from principle, focus and moral conscience. If I may reiterate, we haven’t done anything in stride beyond the comforts of que sera.

Pondering: Recalled the Fitial administration when 300-900 people were terminated from their jobs. Some 3,000 of our very own read the message in the blue skies of paradise of zero opportunities. No time wasted, they simply evacuated elsewhere.

Remember a conversation I had with a homesteader who just finished building the first family home. He and spouse were part of the Fitial termination scheme. He took his family and left with a heavy heart saying, “It’s okay.” Didn’t know political vengeance included destruction of our very own! Humiliating!