Dissecting credentials of dinosaurs

This being an election year (midterm), it’s good to dissect the political intelligence of candidates for a preliminary glimpse into who could succeed as policymakers. We must probe each candidate a bit more critically to ensure that he or she is ready for the task at hand. In short, let’s not victimize ourselves by repeating with a rudderless bunch of political dinosaurs.

Essential elements exist to do this, such as intelligence. It provides for reasonable measurement of one’s ability to survive and adapt to the environment.

Specifically, political intelligence refers to the ability of a politician to survive, adapt to one’s historical, political, and personal environments, and as a result achieve success. There are other constructs but we will stick to something simple and easily understood by most voters. It should give one a clear view if a certain candidate has the wherewithal to work on serious policymaking issues or otherwise. I’d like to engage a process, albeit time consuming, in the interest of benefiting the multitude.

The most important aspect of scholarly intelligence is “verbal potency.” Indeed, some folks have a way with words while others don’t. While a rich vocabulary, quick wit, and efficient use of words are all impressive and necessary verbal skills, politicians must also be artful enough to speak with powerful metaphors and employ familiar and relevant references (e.g., accurately quoting the Bible). Simultaneously, they must appear passionate, natural, and believable while delivering their message to the public. It’s all a matter of fluency and clarity.

The second aspect in scholarly intelligence pertains to “learnedness.” Politicians are not expected to be omniscient, meaning having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things; but a candidate who possesses a reasonable breadth and depth of knowledge about socio-political matters will make a more favorable impression than one who appears ignorant. For example, few doubt Rep. Paul Ryan’s comprehensive grasp of the workings of the economy and a broad range of policies. It is here where you make it or break it. Voters are sufficiently intelligent to discern if you have it or not. It is here where you turn into a prospect or fatal statistics.

The last facet is “common sense.” Perhaps the most difficult skill to define, it has a “you know it when you see it” quality. Common sense includes the ability to understand complex matters in simple terms, as well as the ability to devise simple solutions to complex problems. Nowhere is this better exemplified than in the IRS tax code’s mind-boggling complexity, which we doubt anyone would describe as an example of common sense. Herman Cain’s “9-9-9 Plan” and the “Penny Plan” provide contrasting solutions that seek to use common sense. Do you see this aspect in the faces of incumbents or new recruits who have announced plans to run for public office here?

Issues like the economy, scarce resources because of a bad economy, cost of utilities, spiraling cost of healthcare and spikes on basic commodities are very complex issues that challenge candidates to articulate them with appreciable believability. That incumbents (Republicans and Covenant) turn out to be parties of the “do-nothings” is largely the net result of the caliber of policymakers now in office.

By now, most prospects (incumbents and new recruits) could smell death resembling the strange scent of parched grass everywhere or the powerful stench of dead dogs on the public highways run over by careless drivers. It isn’t going to be a pleasant trip to the court of public opinion where real scrutiny occurs.

***

Need: A savior or executor?

Juan and Pedro Malas debated what type or leader does the CNMI need given its steady slide into total bankruptcy: A savior or executor.

Said Juan: “We need someone with a vision, integrity and principle who could outline a long-term plan for the islands. That person would have to be a savior.”

Pedro said his piece: “I think we’d be better off today with an executor who could get things done for governance today, not tomorrow when it’s a day late.”

Juan expressed the view that the NMI needs visionaries.

Pedro agreed but offered that people need real answers right now. “In short, our people are struggling to put food on the table; leave stuffy discussions about vision and principle to the maligned elite.”

In my view, both answers are correct, though current conditions need an executor to get things done decisively. This is especially needed today, what with the abysmal financial posture of the local government. It’s even incapable of buying cheap paper clips. Oooops! We didn’t just say that, did we?

But local revenue generation has moved and faded way down south. Would we ever revive investment under current chaotic conditions? Is instability an accepted thing among investors? Isn’t this the reason they migrate out of states and places where instability robs them of any meaningful planning for purposes of return on investments? A` Saina!

***

Miscellany

What would incumbent Republican and Covenant candidates have to offer after a collective and colossal failure? I mean, seriously do you have concrete answers to reviving the chaotic and disastrous local economy? If so, would such an “off the hip” plan provide sufficient funds for the imperiled retirement program? I’d like to listen to such plans, geared at the long-term survival of the Fund. Are you sufficiently credentialed to even chance discussing such a convoluted concept? Economic revival, anybody?

***

The administration’s penchant for “quick fixes” like its plea to retirees to “come to geesuzzzz” isn’t going to cut the cake either. The Fund will eventually crater due to the lack of reform and sure-footed seed funding to stand on its own. It’s a tough and convoluted issue that has sent municipal and state governments throughout the country soul-searching for answers. The business climate here is very unhealthy. Thus, the anticipated revenue to cushion dry coffers isn’t there to do any justice to an imperiled pension.

***

Someone asked what’s the difference between Republican and Covenant. Said Magoo, “It’s the same person changing shirt.” Same difference! “Boot the ’do-nothing’ suckers out of office!”

* * *

John DelRosario Jr. is a former publisher of Saipan Tribune and a former secretary of Department of Public Lands.