Employing realistic prism

Casino: There’s published literature issued by the Citizens for Cleaner CNMI that had some very revealing and pertinent information all must read. You’ll get a clear understanding of the invisible tentacles or events that unfolded culminating in the seemingly coincidental exclusive casino license for Best Sunshine.

The depth of the material shows it was thoroughly researched and offers time for us to review and recapture what’s ours in recharting the future of these isles. It’s all fact-based information!

There’s the date when BS, a food company, declared it was moving into the gaming industry. It commanded a whopping windfall of some $1.5 billion in its stocks shown in graphic illustration. The announcement and huge gain came while there’s no casino measure here as yet. It leaves the issue to speculation and suspicion. This was preceded by a visit to Hong Kong and Macau by NMI officials reportedly searching for investments. Did any of them have any inkling of the magnitude of the investments or do they know what entails investments?

Can casino strengthen our cultural traditions and deeply rooted value system or wouldn’t it be the single most destructive force against indigenous culture? Do you see why pro-casino legislators should have used what’s known as “contextual emotional intelligence” where they reflect upon the effects of long-term issues? But they ignored thoughtful review in favor of the instant soba mindset.

And so a food firm was selected to run a casino operation here. Wasn’t the lack of business experience (credibility issue) sufficient to raise eyebrows or call “time out”? Why didn’t our men of infinitesimal wisdom see this egregious anomaly? Were you folks too busy giving away our future for 30 silvers committing an omission of fiduciary responsibility? Or is it more a case of loss of neurons—dead brain cells—known as apoptosis?

The material pointed out that every place where casino exists charges taxes, e.g., Macau, 39 percent; Manila, 25 percent; Singapore, 15 percent; Tinian/Rota, 10-11 percent; Saipan exclusive casino, ZERO! Isn’t backroom hard counting where the money is and shouldn’t BS be paying at least $50 million in fees per year? It’s mind numbing the purported purposeful omission of fiduciary duty on this score. It must be one superb wining and dining as to force neuron paralysis at a time public officials should be on full guard protecting the interest of these isles. They didn’t!

The researched figures show how the taxpayers would be subsidizing BS for the next 40 years. Is this the vision of pro-casino public officials—drain the last pennies from family wallets and purses including poor food stamps recipients—so it is donated to ensure the future operations of BS?

Remember how the State of Delaware had to subsidize by some $8.5 million per year its casino to ensure jobs for 8,500 employees because nearby competition compromised the so-called “projected” revenue? Isn’t Atlantic City closing two more casinos at the end of the month because they are “unprofitable?” Hello! Anybody home?

Masters vs. servants: “We the people” know we’ve elected what’s ostensibly known as “public servants.” This prompted my efforts to understand the root of chaos in the review and consideration of public policy where public officials have no respect for the limits of the exercise of power.

“Public officials—who are supposed to be our public servants—routinely behave as if they are our masters. They reject the confines of the Constitution, they don’t believe that our rights are inalienable, and they fail to see the dangerous path down which they are leading us.” It’s a sure path to an authoritarian government.

The purposeful use of the cloak of ignorance and arrogance aren’t a ticket to bypass the sentiment of the silent majority who, through direct representation or plebiscite, said “no” to casino twice. It is the silent majority with gravitas—integrity—who has every intention to recapturing what belongs to “we the people.” Like last midterm election, “we the people” would be roaring back once more! Enough is enough!

You impeached a former governor for a non-existent power contract. Shouldn’t you also be busying yourselves preparing multiple impeachment charges that include you? Whatever happened to your pronouncement of transparency? Isn’t transparency the disinfectant for corruption? Or have you been infected by refusing treatment from your own medicine?

Reality check: It’s good to be optimistic of casino revenue if it is within a rock’s throw of real revenue reality. MVA says the casino integrated plan could provide a whopping $1.8 billion in windfall. Excellent! Even I have included that view in my Wish List of Optimism 2015, salivating. I know it isn’t forthcoming anytime soon. With infrastructure deficit, it’s a pipe dream at best, longest yawn at worse!

Infrastructure: Be it northern or southern Saipan, villagers will be there to give you a “wake up” call on robbing the community of water, power, and sewer! Is it hard understanding that in order to get to “C” you need to pass by “B”?

Ironic that in subsequent pages of the same edition (Monday, Sept. 1) was a story of Atlantic City shutting down two more casinos including the loss of 5,000 jobs.

Purchasing power: Forget about minimum wage and focus on the real cost of living here. This cost should realistically reflect wage and salary. In Hawaii, the strength of the dollar is about $.85.

What’s the strength of the dollar here where everything is about quadruple the cost of basically everything? Is it anywhere near $.10 to $.30 per dollar? What’s the wisdom of giving people minimum wage jobs but had to go to NAP Office and sign up for food stamps? Are you getting my drift?