Election: Was it naiveté`?

There was a sense of confidence in the much-expected shift in the political landscape. The views of villagers were the scaffold of expressions. It was the voice I relied upon to advocate change in the recent midterm election.

But something didn’t quite pan out as expressed. It triggers a sense of suspicion if the election was founded on the true sentiments of the disenchanted or was it a victory for the “we few” corporate denizens successfully manipulating the electorate? Not ready as yet to accept the results at face value. Something’s amiss here! Furthermore, something’s just popped that confirms my suspicion.

The issue has caught fire and has started gutting everything in its way. Nah! Don’t use your loose change against our dignity! We are a people of conscience!

I raise the issue in that the 61 percent low voter turnout isn’t representative of the voice of the disenchanted for Republicans to claim a clear mandate other than what a blogger dubbed as “statistical fluke.” Appalling the manipulative role of oligarchs—rich businessmen with strong political influence—forcing their will against “we the people.”

We also find PR types in the administration spouting victory emanating from an “improving economy.” Really? Did it trickle down to real-time family income? Let’s see you use your assertion to raise the minimum wage here upwards of $15 an hour. In fact, you should be able to even push and implement “real wages” for the islands, sayu?

What does real wage entail? Simple: Every family must have a home, a family car, and sufficient disposable income for other needs.

But then even more perplexing is the GOP’s dropped jaws over its own victory. Goes to show its woefully tenuous grip on fate before the final tally. What interesting tale, right?

How would it dispose of issues that matter? Will it succumb to inertia to settle for politics over doing the right things by doing them right? Would there be coherence on policies or another full-blown round of half-cocked measures? A misstep flames out your career instantly!

Grassroots: Reminds one why Trump became the 45th President of our country. From the outset, he saw the angst of working but displaced Americans or “deplorable” that felt betrayed by the Washington establishment and wealthy institutions that think they know better but have failed. He took their expressions to heart and kept it there to the bitter end. He never changed his narrative, calling a spade a spade, nailing Clinton consistently.

No wonder he resonated well with 80 percent of working Americans! And they jointly decided to “drain the swamp” for once in their lifetime! The joint effort captured the return of “government of the people, for the people and by the people” so help us ensure the swamp is drained! This sentiment has caught fire locally too. Should be an interesting issue as it evolves!

The phenomenon is a global phenomenon and would eventually wash up on our shores, if not already. The process, slow as it may be, has begun to the extent here manipulative corporate denizens would be shown, not the door, but jetways and boats leaving the airport and harbor. It turns into a personal agenda where we must return “government of the people, for the people and by the people” to its rightful place.

Deplorables: Bribery does strange things even to people I once trusted. I remember money sandwiched between pages of a newspaper handed to an anti-casino advocate in 1979. All he said was “Thank you, lai”, grabbed the newspaper and disappeared. And he’s still in government today, flashing a straight face. I get tummy chuckles of disbelief whenever we meet! He should be on the top five of Who’s Who Among Deplorables!

Largest employer
Over the years, private industry employees have eyed jobs in the public sector because of the retirement program and the benefit of built-in relaxation where you don’t have to justify your loot. I mean where would you find spending an entire day at a coffee shop then clock in at 4:30pm to work overtime?

I’ve worked in the private sector for more than a decade. Either you work the clock to earn your dues full square or you’re history. This sector is in the business of turning in a profit at day’s end. Government isn’t! Herein lies the difference. Yet by design the productive sector feeds the drone public sector.

Appalling the lack of scrutiny whether the NMI government needs some 3,000-4,000 employees? Need taxpayers be saddled with political excess?

What is the cumulative deficit of the NMI? Isn’t it true it’s over a billion dollars? And we still have this many drone government employees collecting loot at our expense?

Tribute: I humbly pay tribute to my former catechism teacher Sr. Mary Louis Balzarini who passed away recently. It was her interest in my future that made her a close teacher at heart. In bad battered days her wise counsel was my sturdy hope of inspiration and foundation.

She strongly recommended that I matriculate at Mt. Carmel High School. Later, I explained that my parents couldn’t afford the MCS tuition. She was sad of the tidings. Dad’s monthly income then was around $20 per month. Paying for my tuition would be difficult for the rest of my siblings. But I know I’ve been in her prayers since.

She encouraged me to stay focused on education and professional career opportunities. Ever grateful for her sinking that much needed spiritual anchor I held for life. May your journey home be a joyful one as the choir of angels greet, sing and escort you into that everlasting peace and tranquility beyond the colorful rainbow upstairs. My love and prayers and si yuus maase` Sr. Mary Louis!