Cancer, other serious illnesses

Rota Senator Terry Santos has sought the assistance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a water and soil testing on Rota. Her appeal is to see if there’s anything in their content that may have triggered the increase of various types of cancer adversely affecting her people. Is the culprit in the soil or water, both or none of the above?

Local agencies can’t simply dismiss the issue eyeballing it without scientific laboratory test to arrive at the truth. How do we know that island water hasn’t been contaminated by potent and lethal pesticides accidently dropped by farmers?

That cancer has spiked among her people is sufficient a reason for healthcare officials at CHC to move commissioning a study to figure out the beast. It’s an urgent health issue. CHC should facilitate help from the U.S. Department of Public Health and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This can’t be sleepwalked! We should also ask Interior to assist in this effort.

Perhaps our Washington Delegate Kilili could help following up with EPA to intervene soonest. It’s an urgent issue that needs confirmation or otherwise of contaminants in the water and soil on Rota. Should help the NMI and Rota especially when EPA steps in.

While at it, shouldn’t we also ask for assistance to determine the origin of Type II diabetes, pancreatic malfunction, renal failure, and heart issues? Are heart issues here genetics or lifestyle or both? Studies to identify the causes of these long-term diseases should be given real time attention so we begin meaningful public education programs for the local populous. And we can focus on our young people first throughout the schools.

Senator Santos noted that the medical phenomenon relating to diabetes, kidney failure, cancer, and heart ailments are Marianas-wide in scope. It’s more the reason that our healthcare management team begins the ball rolling to commission medical studies of these issues.

Since the mid-‘70s I’ve been suspicious of various long-term illnesses here that have spiked since then. Slowly, they begin showing their ugly faces in, e.g., over 300 dialysis patients, number of patients being referred to off-island medical centers for heart and other serious ailments. Let’s find out what they are and begin timely public education or preventive programs. Thanks Sen. Santos for alerting our community on this issue.

Silence of the Lambs: Money from a certain firm is flowing freely all over the island so designed to silence the lambs or indigenous people who may hold anti-sentiments against the casino industry.

It has turned into a fulltime undertaking given that the local government doesn’t have the money to hire that many locals at this juncture. Private industry is also muddling along incapable of expanding its operations and payroll given the bad investment climate.

Recently, Speaker Raphael Demapan came out swinging saying we can’t rely on casino alone and that he’s asking colleagues to join him find other alternatives. It’s a wild spout that is as empty and useless in its failed attempt. How about imposing a ten percent tax on soft count of casino revenue at day’s end?

But there’s a “bromance” between the casino bosses and majority of legislators to keep this sacred cow untouched. Perhaps this explains the agenda to ensure that incumbents retain their seats this coming November. Interesting! It’s a contest against “we the people.”

Healthcare Spending: Federal spending on healthcare programs has outpaced Social Security for the first time in 2015, according to an expansive report from the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The feds spent $936 billion on the former versus $882 billion on the latter.

The programs include Medicare, Medicaid, and subsidies related to the Affordable Care Act under Obamacare. The last item would inflate federal deficit over the next decade by the billions of dollars under Obama’s charge. Republicans have picked this issue as a likely presidential item for debate. It has also openly expressed that Obamacare is already under life support.

It’s an issue we should tread as it develops in that subsequent decision to dismantle Obamacare altogether would adversely affect Medicaid here. When the source of the program is depleted or cut it means we carry the financial burden from A-Z. Be on the look out.

Donald’s Success: Although Marco Rubio is my favorite among GOP presidential contenders for his articulate and heartfelt expressions as the son of a migrant, I had to admire the brawler (The Donald) for heading off the congested contest with clear approval from among GOP voters.

A lot of the intellectual conservatives had to retreat somewhere to figure out why people resonate so well with The Donald. Well, his expression accurately reflects the rage and anger of most average voters across the country. I like his raw speech that runs unfiltered from gut to his mouth and his comments are without craft.

Said Suzanne Fields, a nationally syndicated columnist who writes for the Washington Times, “The public isn’t looking for an articulate, Kennedy-esque candidate who elegantly balances a phrase, a Ronald Reagan who soars metaphorically or even a somber intellectual who balances complex ideas like Richard Nixon. Voters want to hear unvarnished anger, rough and ready, rhetoric that comes with the bark still on and the gloves off.” In agreement with her considered assessment.

Ooops! Basic infrastructure like water, powerm and sewer would be challenged when BSI’s casino/hotel is hooked to the system. Traffic would be redirected as far down as Kristo Rai Church. Interesting how the new facility would deal the immediate community adequate share of water especially during the dry season. Planning, anybody?