Second-class citizens

News of the Dekada organization’s renewed lobbying for resident status and to be acknowledged with a status other than guest workers reminded me of our political status as second-class U.S. citizens, with no U.S voting delegate in the U.S. Congress.

While many of our local sons and daughters continue to show their patriotism and fight for democracy, we find organizations popping up right and left demanding for rights that they feel are owed them due to the length of time that they have lived and worked on island.

Interestingly, Dekada, as stated by its president, is made up of Chinese, Filipinos and Bangladeshi members. I would like to inform the members of these organizations and our elected leaders that democracy has a price and our local people and U.S. forefathers have paid the ultimate price by sacrificing their lives for freedom.

The price of freedom and a green card should not be measured by the amount of time they have lived and worked in a certain place. If this is the case, then let us reevaluate our guest worker program and revamp the entire system to a three-year maximum employment stay.

I think it’s ironic for this organization to claim rights when the local people who have been second-class U.S. citizens for more than 40 years have more unresolved issues and a history of being discriminated by the United States during the Trust Territory days.

My father and people during his time and even before his time often told of how the local people were discriminated against by the Americans. In some instances, locals with degrees were supervisors over Americans without degrees but were receiving less money. At the time, I believe there were two or three pay scales under the Civil Service Commission. A local with a college degree would start out with a pay of $1.35 while an American with no degree would get over $5 to as much as $8 per hour.

We have heard about Rep. George Miller’s intent to federalize immigration and to increase minimum wage in the CNMI if the Democrats take control of the House during the upcoming midterm elections. I urge our elected leaders to do whatever it takes to protect our local economy and local garment industry.

To congressman Miller, Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio, Gov. Fitial, Lt. Gov. Villagomez and other elected officials, below are a few of the countries that have received U.S. assistance and their voting record in the United Nations against U.S supported issues (FY 1998):

1. Bangladesh received $76,695,000 from the U.S. and voted against the United States 64 percent of the time.

2. The Philippines received $47 million from the U.S. and voted against the United States 67 percent of the time.

3. Egypt received $2 billion dollars from the U.S. and voted against the United States 66 percent of the time.

4. Indonesia and Thailand were both bailed out by the International Monetary Fund and received more than $49 million but still votes against the U.S. 63 percent of the time.

5. China received over $1 million from the U.S. and still voted against the United States over 70 percent of the time.

6. India received over $143 million dollars and voted against the U.S. 80 percent of the time.

7. Jordan received over $192 million dollars and voted against the U.S. 67 percent of the time.

8. Haiti received over $101 million dollars and voted against the U.S. 57 percent of the time.

9. Mexico’s economy was bailed out by the IMF under U.S. guidance but they voted against the United States 62 percent of the time. They also received over $15 million dollars from the United States.

10. Peru received over $116 million from the U.S. and voted against the U.S. over 59 percent of the time.

Interestingly, Micronesia received over $1.6 million and is the only country that always supported the United States. This list represents only a few; to present the entire list would disgust many of us who are currently suffering to make ends meet.

Our Washington Representative, in all his good efforts, cannot introduce any bills but instead have to either have Congresswoman Bordallo or other members of the House be the CNMI’s voice in Congress.

While our island continues to suffer economically, gas companies continue to monopolize and manipulate gas prices, our public schoolchildren receive more than $3,000 less per child compared to the national average, our Delegate bill remains pending at the U.S. Congress, one tends to wonder where the interest of the United States is directed.

Biba Congressman Miller! Biba second-class citizens! Exercise your right to vote…Excuse me, I forgot we cannot vote for president.

Danny Aquino Jr.
Susupe