A reputation of thieves and beggars

An Armistice was signed on the last day of World War I at 5am to end hostilities at 11am. U.S., British, and French forces assaulted heavily fortified German bunkers in a blood bath of more casualties and death than the D-Day invasion of Normandy. While Boston and Paris celebrated in the streets, WWI was in full engagement.

Historians have long asked why thousands died needlessly. Generals treated the war as a toy and certain the Armistice would take their toy away, they played with them to the last minute of the last hour regardless of the catastrophic loss of life.

Leadership here can see our economic collapse. The federalization transition period has instilled a sense of fear that the toys they have long played with, will soon be taken away. Why else would Congress will not support the Open Government Act?

Congressional job security must be the rationale behind not supporting a part-time legislature. Unethical political practices are protecting their control of millions of dollars of unaccountable funds in discretionary accounts YEARLY. Mayors have enormous budgets and Municipal Councils are also squandering public funds at the expense of the NMIs indigenous poor.

The administration is even threatening a lawsuit against the U.S., which further damages our case for federal aid. The most recent House of Representatives funding appropriations for ball fields and fishing derbies, is but a typical example.

Congresspersons here know the weak and the lost jump on trains and strong stand up to be counted. The lieutenant governor’s grand jury indictment on three felonies along with charges against family and publicly paid conspirators has further tarnished the image of our Commonwealth. At a time the NMI needs to work with the U.S. most, we have an administration with an adversarial, if not belligerent, relationship with the federal government.

Stealing funds happens in the mainland as well, but leaving the lieutenant governor in office, drawing a SALARY, is an embarrassment to the people here and will irreparably defame the CNMI internationally if allowed to continue.

Our reputation in Washington, D.C. has become one of thieves and beggars due to the actions of a few. Residents are embarrassed by this shameful conduct, but the only shame on residents would be to not do something about it.

I am asking the lieutenant governor to resign out of decency and love for the Northern Marianas Islands and the wonderful people here, if he does not, the governor must remove him from office or it is a callous disregard of his duty.

Removing the lieutenant governor should be Ben Fitial’s last act in office, as decency demands the governor’s resignation as well.