We’re living in a stressful and scary land

CNMI residents are either stressed or are in fear. We have so many problems and we don’t have the manpower to fix it. So many years have gone by and still nothing has succeeded. Our educational institutions are struggling for help to get accredited and no one knows how to fix it. The coffers are always empty and all of our living necessities are going to be gone soon. Or should I say out of stock.

The Retirement Fund is in grave danger and not everyone understands it. Many think withdrawal is the better than nothing at all, but in reality someone needs to explain to them that what they are taking is like a one-year salary, compared to the lifetime that others retirees are enjoying now. Those who are waiting to retire cannot retire because the government didn’t pay their contribution and there is nothing we can do to get it, and some are in fear of losing everything that they too are waiting for that public law to withdraw and save their money someplace else until such time these problem is fixed.

The labor and immigration issue is another scary problem that we have. Those who are still waiting for their status who have U.S. citizen children and spouses desperately need our help and no one knows how to do that. Now their lawyers and experts are here informing us of their capacity to rule, and what they can do in the future. What’s more scary is that they were once our friends but now it seems like we are strangers to each other. We used to help each other and work together. Now they are strangers and we don’t know what they might do next.

Our hospital is now in the hands of another authority where everything has to be paid, and many of us have lost our health insurance in order to be able to afford living and paying for obligations. Yes, there is Medicaid, but not all are eligible. On Tinian we don’t have doctors and to get one we need to fly to the Saipan hospital, which has limited services. Those who can afford it fly to Guam.

The Public School System have a curriculum that is accredited but not applicable to our way of living, which demand that parents go school or take a workshop in order to understand them. Many important life skills are not included and parents have to manage our children’s well-being to meet their educational needs.

There are a lot of gambling addicted families that need professional help but are scared to seek help in fear of losing their reputation and the trust and respect of others. This is a sad and scary issue that many of us don’t see as a threat to our social and general welfare.

Our leaders needs professional assistance on how to make laws that apply to our community’s needs. Ask the feds to show us how to do the work, how to make money, and how can we improve ourselves to be able to comply with their requirements.

Fish and Wildlife and the Environmental Protection Agency need to help show us how to protect our environment. Educate us on what laws we can implement to prevent extinction and protect the fishes in our reefs, coconut crabs, and important habitats.

These drugs issue is growing and I haven’t heard anything being done yet to help us. Juvenile delinquency issues, I haven’t heard of any reliable programs in place to help them once they are out of detention. Those who are seeking employment are struggling to get one and there is no one to help so they end up doing the same thing again.

What’s going to happen to us when we get old? Are our children ready to help us? What will happen to us should other U.S. citizens rule over us? I’m worried about what will happen in two years after this takeover finishes its task here. I’m worried about what will happen to us should these contract workers leave or get deported. I’m worried about the problems that might arise after, what impact it will cost us.

What’s more scary is that some leaders who are desperate are making decisions without thinking of the consequences of their decisions.