As economic depression worsens

It is said that the future is now and it comes one day at a time. With this in mind we ask in earnest when would things begin happening to pull us out of the economic depression or dystopia—where nothing works?

The lethargic public sector conduct of business reminds me of what the nationally famous and late economist Milton Friedman said of the performance of government: “If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years there’d be a shortage of sand.” Here at home it’s “pera”!

You reach down to the depth of your conscience to see if there’s any hopeful message stashed somewhere you may have missed. You juggle stagnant family income dubbed by Einstein as “insanity”—toying with the same figures and hoping for different results. None!

We’ve heard of hopeful large development plans funding which is contingent upon the sale of shares at some stock exchange. And so funding for its construction instantly turns into speculation.

In other words, funding sources aren’t coming from various banks that have guaranteed loans for the planned projects. Therefore it’s sheer speculation! It’s a developers’ specialty! It’s ‘let’s build in hopes of making a profit’!

It’s analogous to our sitting contented at a bus station for a ride that nobody knows if it’s coming at all. So we wait and wait. We learned later, and I’m afraid this is what’s coming down the pike on recent planned projects, that the bus isn’t coming. Is this something city hall is wary of and if so, how do we pin down if the planned projects are factually secured in terms of funding?

For instance, the trumpeted “integrated resort” somehow faded in its supposed morning star rise and glitz as to trigger my curiosity level, placing the dotted line one circle at a time. In the midst of it all, there’s the lack of a plan—a seemingly new tool in NMI planning—turned cyclical reality. This as the quality of life deteriorates even further.

NMI’s role: The planned projects bring into focus the role of the NMI government in their implementation. Uppermost is the presentation of the scale of the project. In other words, how large is it and is it really affordable and sustainable? Are we ready to pitch in our share by way of other requirements, e.g., land and federally provided funds for basic infrastructure? Would the venture focus on lease of private or public land? Is there rationality in either case?

We see Singapore integrated resort promoted here. Any depth of understanding how long it took Singapore to build its integrated resort? Have we an understanding how that decision was reached? Is it now NMI policy to build such a humongous facility here? Would its construction require more foreign workers like between 3,000 and 5,000 people? Could this be met given a mandate to replace non-citizen workers by 2019? How would this be funded beyond speculation at a stock exchange somewhere nearby?

In the midst of it all, is there a commitment to review the planned integrated resort? Is the fickle tourism industry the planned mainstay of the NMI? Shouldn’t this issue predominate proactive gathering of all key players to trump their cards? Why the retardant attitude on a matter that would only spell disaster in the short term? Have you an answer? Any answer?

Regional tension: China’s aggressive behavior in the Spratly and Senkaku Islands leave the impression that the U.S. would intervene and hopefully resolve the feuding countries.

That these islands are within the 200-mile EEZ makes it an issue to take up with appropriate council of the UN Law of the Sea. China sees it this way. The U.S. is indifferent for refusing to sign the UN Law of the Sea agreement. So it leaves the brewing feud for resolution at the diplomatic level.

As this develops, another pops up in terms of U.S. military limiting use of Marianas land for its live fire ranges. If I understand it correctly it is now limited to Guam. Does it mean the NMI is free from use of its land for Cadillac firing ranges? We shall see if the divert airport would still remain an issue for discussion and subsequent agreement.

Finally, I find it appalling that while “boots on the ground” is the method of war being fought in the Middle East—mostly desert land—why would the military want use of a tropical island in preparation for battle in desert countries? How about using California, Nevada, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico? Doesn’t this make sense?

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It’s called “official information” that comes from the governor’s office. It included blue tanks throughout the island where one could get water or which filling stations are opened. The latter had a car owner lining up in San Vicente but noticed it was closed. The station had run out of fuel. In either case, this so-called “official information” came six to seven days later. Disorienting yet it’s still called “disaster preparedness.”

Whatever happened to an Emergency Task Force comprised of interagency people? Was this group ever called together as the storm approached the island or did we park it and looked the other way? Appalling our ability to sleepwalk on issues that matter! I often quiz how would we handle a major earthquake? It’s an issue that lurks in my mind and I know it’s coming when we least expect it. Storms could be observed. There’s no technology to monitor temblors. It would really be “The Day After Tomorrow!”