A divided CNMI falls

It is very clear the voters of the CNMI are a divided people with four different gubernatorial candidates—what a political and social mess. Now we have the GOP supporters who are divided between three candidates ganging up on one Democratic team, creating odds of 4 to 1 that voters will not get it right.

I can remember when there was only the GOP and the Democrats running and virtually no independents. Back then, when we only had two parties, there was more excitement, exchanges in the news, bigger political gatherings at pocket meetings and rallies but that has now dwindled to a trickle of people. We even see candidates waving alone now because of this great divide in our politics, which reminded me of the old and true saying: United we stand and divided we fall so voters are challenged to unite like they did in the last election but the choice is different.

In the last election it was for or against then-governor Fitial and crew but this time the people have a choice, which complicates the chances for the majority to get it right. We didn’t have a primary because the Republicans refused to resolve their differences within their party, leaving it up to the people to do their own job of vetting all Republicans—a screwed political play to give the Republicans a significant 3-to-1 advantage over the Democrat candidates for the election. Yes, you are still being played, voters!

But I would like to submit for readers’ consideration that if you are happy with how thing have gone over the past 15 years under the Republican governors, then vote for one of the Republicans. But if you are not happy with how the CNMI has gone for the past 15 years under the various Republican governors, then you only have one chance to get it right to unite and elect a Democrat—it is really that simple.

If there ever was a time to change our politics and our government, that time is now because if we continue down this path of division, the Commonwealth will continue to fall short in our efforts to make it a place where every citizen can have a real opportunity to live out their American Dream of happiness and prosperity!

Two of the Republicans have also disguised themselves by waving independent banners but I think most voters know they are Republicans. I am trying to help voters with this critical decision because if we are ever going to cure our very sick democracy—which needs a strong two-party system to survive—that time is now! You need to vote Democrat on the general principles of the need to create alternatives and the need to improve the checks and balances within our government.

Ambrose M. Bennett
PIO, Democratic Party