More candidates for ’14

The playground is getting a bit crowded as more folks throw their hats into the ring for a shot at legislative and other seats. It’s an interesting surge, a mix buoyed by the competence of the academically and professionally poised, younger bunch.

The entry of many new faces is a statement in itself: Time to replace the old guard! That voters are ready to rein in change has complimented this silent but powerful message. It’s time to replace stifling complacency—focus being on re-election rather than the longer-term issues of “we the people.” Change is the simple, though powerful, narrative!

The new and younger candidates have demonstrated an educated grasp what the NMI needs at a critical juncture in our developmental history. Comforting the bullish commitment to instill some semblance of comprehensive plan to organize and move the needle of growth forward in partnership with private industries. This point alone is sufficient to ignite the fire of enthusiasm in search of something better than rock bottom today.

There’s also the ardent desire to reset the button of moral courage or the ability to do right per our values. It presents opportunities to listen to burning questions from villagers with unscripted answers and fostering heart-to-heart working relationships.

At least the new mindset sneers at the usual dystopian mañana of utter disconnection and disengagement. New kids on the block have invested time listening to the voice of “we the people.” It was the voice of the people that strengthened their courage to put their best foot forward. Not ready to allow political impotence to take its permanent seat in “do-nothing” land. Allowing it would have very serious implications for the NMI. Change is in the wind.

As disciplined or wild swings are taken against you out on the campaign trail, remain steadfast in your conviction to proactively reset the button of change. Idle filthy swamp water of apathy has turned into woefully unhealthy stench and infectious virus of misery. We need to reinvent the wheel especially today! The old guards have overstayed their welcome. With the exception of a few, most would partake turning the last page of their political career with dreaded full closure.

There are incumbent legislators who would retain their seats. These folks are poised in their disposition of issues. You listen to their presentations that tell they have come prepared. They include Speaker Joseph Deleon Guerrero, Reps. Ralph Yumul, Edmund Villagomez, Terry Santos, and Roman Benavente. These folks listen! The rest must paddle their canoes for that dreaded final self-destruct lap into the sunset!

Reality check a must
I’ve met other incumbents who don the soft illusion of self-importance, oblivious to the challenge of self-inflicted political doomsday. If you’re still adamant, perhaps you could answer what signature policy issue did you accomplish that factually reduced the high cost of power, health premiums, and the cost of living, among others.

If you fail in all of these familial economic issues, did you counter the high cost of living with, e.g., wage and salary increases to return a portion of the 80 cents deducted per every dollar earned by workers and retirees? Obviously, if you missed the bus on these scores, is your insatiable thirst for power the single justification for voters to repeat egregious failure again? Don’t you think we also know better?

You see, often issues of substance parade before your nose. You’ve failed to see them because they are below your blurred visions. The new group of candidates has raised these issues up to see why were they purposely skipped by the old guard. Do you see why there has to be an unceremonious parting of the ways with fossilized political dinosaurs?

Moreover, I’ve also seen some corrupt names from the outset. I suppose greed forces what’s called “blind ambition.” We’ll deal with these guys over the next two months.

The new names include BJ Tenorio Attao, Edwin Propst, Angel Demapan, Vince G. Cabrera, Vinnie F. Sablan, Frankie B. Angel, Lumi Bermudes, Reina Camacho (should have run for lower house), Sid Cabrera, and a few others.

Long snooze on the job
While the NMI was floored with triple digit depression (not inflation), most of you were caught snoozing on the job. The switchboard even turned into hard futon for those whose waistlines could fit it neatly. It was one grand dystopian mañana that conveniently muted fiduciary duty.

What the guys and gals forgot is that we have faithfully paid for their loot through taxes we pay into the local coffers. The least they could have done was act like they working. But it was their decision to boast collecting loot while sporting celebrated snoozing on the switchboard. Dalai `ste! This misfeasance ends this November. Voters aren’t ready to repeat royal failure once more. It rightfully belongs in the ash heap of history!

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Since last midterm election, voters have turned out in large numbers to express their discontentment with leadership. That it has reached this level of maturity signals a new beginning in our political development. As a candidate you must have something better than tired and exhausted excuses. You can no longer escape spouting simple assertions that begin and end with “I support.” What is it? Economy? What aspect of it and have you better paradigms that begins with a set of plans?

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The shifting sand of change has awakened our beaten faces, granting us another chance to march confidently toward the dawn of hope and brighter tomorrow. The least we could do is partake in a unified march to rebuild the bridge of hope. It’s time we wiggle ourselves out of egregious economic slavery of recent past. It’s all in the palm of our hands. Let’s not repeat failure!