NMI ‘Uncertainty, Inc.’

There is Japan Inc. that represents the working relationship between government and private industries to build the country’s economic foundation. There are other Inc.s worldwide among powerful conglomerates engaged in global business transactions.

Recently, we happened upon what has evolved into “NMI Uncertainty, Inc.” It represents a place where nothing works, as dazed politicians sing “Make the world go away,” fully content. Take a glimpse at the failed performance of the do-nothings on the Hill. Stunningly puzzling is the obvious lack of urgency to step-up to the plate of proactive leadership.

Interesting that most politicians have bought prime stocks under the most prestigious political club: NMI Uncertainty, Inc. They’d soon be feasting on lunch and dinner at taxpayers’ expense to celebrate their new purchases and membership, too.

In bad times, people usually look toward their so-called leadership for answers. There’s none! Perhaps the seeming lack of urgency and leadership are attributable to their comfortable income way above average salaries among the struggling multitude. For some, we even pay for their utilities, transportation and gasoline, not to mention security services.

Maybe these perks have numbed their senses as to fail to do reality checks on the livelihood of the folks they’ve promised brighter tomorrows. Such promise, sadly, has dimmed permanently. Fecklessness is the new culture they have honed and wear daily.

They relish their loot from the backbreaking tax contributions paid for by taxpayers. Interesting the imposition of austerity against taxpayers while exempting their hefty salaries. Here is where one could easily detect if they have the interest of the multitude at heart or is it simply empty political spins easily pulled out of their plantation of fecklessness and mediocrity.

The troubling issue with fecklessness is whether this is a microcosm of our future. If so, do we take it lying down? If not, what then must we do to recapture the future of these isles? Is there hope when we next meet a new break of dawn? Or is it more a case of “NMI Uncertainty Inc?”

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The island is the playground of tourists from Japan and Asia. They flock to the Taga Stone famous isles of the CNMI especially during cold winter months. It’s a wonderful place to stretch out on our immaculate beaches and swim in our crystal clear warm waters.

After three days, they return home with prestigious tan and pleasant memories of frolicking in warm waters and pleasant weather of tropical island paradise.

Be that as it may, none of them know that islanders are struggling under disastrous economic conditions at home. After work they return to their substandard houses to rest. It isn’t the bright sun that blurs their vision as much as future job security as tourism sways dangerously at the base. Would they still have jobs in the near term? How much longer would revenue streams suffer huge plummet? Would they be able to weather more utility fee hikes?

The term “paradise” becomes a tool of promotions only relevant to travel agencies that use it to lure more visitors to the island. Islanders know that wrapped in the mutilated term is an entirely different place best described as “hellish hole.”

With reduced work hours, stagnant salaries or joblessness, or simply giving up looking for work, these setbacks hardly measure up against increases in costly basic commodities, gasoline, healthcare, and utility fees. Coupled with impending foreclosures of first family homes makes one wonder if the ruination of paradise is in fact the vision by our so-called leadership. You be the judge!

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For responsible citizens, there’s the lingering question: Where did we go wrong as to fail to guard and sustain the good economic times that descended in the late ’80s and early ’90s? It seems that the comforts of mañana led the CNMI into the complacency corner. The long snooze has led to embracing economic annihilation wrought by destructive federal impositions. The elected elite was caught dazed when real challenges emerged. They haven’t a clue what hit these isles in tsunami like fashion.

The so-called leadership basked in the thrill of power, ignoring the urgency of fundamental policies needing immediate rectification. There’s the discriminatory land policy that removes “equal protection” for some citizens and others legally situated. This infraction alone is the most prohibitive and discouraging. It raises questions about protection for non-citizens. This and other shortsighted policies including slighting foreign businesses in favor of locals in the enforcement of tax obligations are sufficient for our partners to think with their feet. The former is taxed to the hilt while the latter is purposely exempt. The playing field is woefully uneven!

Coupled with the obvious lack of a sound legal code, anti-business policies that kill rather than encourage expansion and new business startups, we now sit repeating Einstein’s definition of “insanity”: Juggling the same thing over and over again hoping for different results.

It’s oxymoronic to use the term “leadership” when most folks here know full well that it doesn’t exist.

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The CNMI’s seeming specialty is government. But a glimpse at what it does with fast depleting resources is contrary to any sense of frugality.

The bloated payroll needs some $3million to $4 million per pay period. Taxpayers quiz: What do we get out of this deal where the plantation of mediocrity is blossoming even during winter months?

Lately, there’s a proposal to permit the sale of public land now under lease to hotels and golf resorts. It’s a tale of the obvious desperation to navigate the fast depleting resources of the local government headed to Bankruptcy Cliff.

It seems our lords are still snoozing, acquiescing worsening economic conditions, dazed and paralyzed. The obvious lack of any sense of urgency doesn’t offer much hope to rebuilding a ruined bridge they’ve seen fit to destroy and ignore. Whatever happened to “Everything Is Government?” A` Saina! Si JR.