Apathy wins

Notwithstanding the fine efforts of the NMC students to organize and conduct a voters’ survey on the question of casino gambling for the island of Saipan, the unfortunate outcome of this democratic exercise was that Saipan has truly sunk into an abyss of apathy.

The people of Saipan and the CNMI have been suffering from a long-term socio-economic depression, which is paralyzing the island residents. The classic signs of depression are apathy and a lack of caring to participate in social events and activities. Furthermore, with the CNMI economy and jobs sinking deeper into the Marianas Trench, we are witnessing the byproducts of desperation and frustration, i.e., rising crime, rising domestic abuse, and rising drug use to escape the overall frustration of a society going to civic hell. Unfortunately, there are those who are preaching that rising crime and domestic abuse and other social evils will come with casino gambling. Well, the crime and social evils are here now, without casino gambling. It is a known fact that a poor economy and lack of jobs sadly produces more crime and social misbehavior. As a historical and perplexing aside, Public Law 3-70, which established the poker machine industry that targeted locals, was subject to a referendum and it failed. So, due to the concerns of many, these poker establishments will be eventually removed with the current casino gambling legislation that I have previously introduced.

Personally, I am very concerned about the welfare of my family, friends, and island neighbors throughout the Commonwealth. I’ve introduced casino gambling legislation that offers strong regulations and a recipe for success, both for the government and the island residents as well. I have observed the comments of both the proponents and opponents of casino gambling for Saipan, and I now I have witnessed the NMC survey that has declared the obvious winner in this delayed development = apathy.

This is a dangerous situation for a community. The lack of caring about what happens leads to chaos. Last Friday, only 3 percent (425) of the Saipan registered voters said that they were against casino gambling, and that leaves 97 percent who voted yes or didn’t care what happens. The burden for a clear and convincing victory had rested with the opponents of casino gambling, and they failed to convince me or the rest of the island that they are in the majority. It is time now for the silent majority to be protected.

To this end, I say that the silent majority wants action. Casino gambling offers a possible solution to the continuous economic depression and apathy in the CNMI, and it will hopefully end the reduced paydays and government services.

To repeat, casino gambling means possible opportunities for jobs, economic growth, and a move to provide more security for our island residents. I said possible, because it will work with the cooperation of our government leaders, the business sector and, most importantly, the support of our people.
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