At the Gate of Change

We’re outside the fence walking single file toward the “Gate of Change.” We’ve made up our minds since two weeks ago who to vote for in a four-way gubernatorial race.

It’s all a matter of delivering the confirmation with finality this Tuesday, Nov. 4. It would have to be someone other than political dinosaurs of “Do-Nothings” and those who trashed “we the people.” We must recapture what’s ours, powerfully demonstrating the strength of governance who understands its rights. It’s the only chance we have this year!

I could see faces of despair still cringing, struggling to weather the most vicious economic disaster in recent past. It feels good, though, to see the humble sense of hope in the guarded smiles of our people awaiting tidings at the break of dawn next Wednesday declaring, “Let’s rebuild the bridge of hope in paradise!” We owe it to our children!

I’m not discounting “evil money” spreading all over the islands with the accompanying last ditch twin of political corruption the shallows of which have fallen on pro-casino public officials. There’s no denying the shivering enthusiasm among this cabal. It’s an issue the feds ought to probe from A to Z! But it’s good to hear the tired folks saying “bring it on” but “you’re not getting our votes.”

Indeed, I have also painstakingly watched the local economy taking a nosedive, specifically the dire effects it has had and continues to have against households throughout the NMI. The hardship imposed upon the multitude seems inconsequential to leadership. It’s business as usual in woefully unusual times. Mind-boggling the gall seeking to retain power at all cost. Call it greed!

The issue critically comes down to “My Pay Day” where about 80 percent of your paycheck is gone before you’re handed your check stub. You ask: Where have all my dollars gone? It’s gone to graveyards everywhere: CUC for high power bills, health insurance, health deductibles, 24 percent increase in basic goods, real estate or home loan, home loan insurance, among others. And no matter how you juggle it, the derivative is the same time and again—80 percent is gone!

As a retiree I know that Gov. Inos’ pitch in the return of the 25 percent was a political facade that failed. Sorry, sir, you only returned our money you cut illegally! Aren’t we now back to 75 percent per the settlement agreement you sought and settled in court? What about the failed recovery of the 25 percent for this fiscal year?

Furthermore, did your running mate Raphael G. Torres help retirees or anybody else in his seven years in the Legislature? Please, sir, name one that factually helped the ordinary people in the villages. Comparing his youth to JFK or Bubba Clinton? Kidding, right? Are you anywhere near the superb quality of the two people who hailed from powerful families and are products of Ivy League schools? Please, pitch something else that isn’t fodder for comedy.

Stormy Wednesday morning
This the week the political storm picks up as the earthworms begin turning to change the landscape here for the next four years come Wednesday morning, Nov. 5. It would be one huge sigh of relief for the multitude who has long waited for the opportunity to recapture what’s theirs.

The victor would emerge from the grassroots while the losers would take the unattended bench somewhere in the back of a warehouse. It’s one final sail into the sunset as political ghosts. They could even trot to the front to reprise Beyond the Reef, the theme song of other relegated ghosts of the past. It is here where you lay down your infantile dreams as you don the crown of disposition hailing from “we the people.”

Some of the losers have prepared their excuses in advance. It includes “the election was too crowded” with one too many candidates. Nah! Your message, whatever it may have been, was never clearly communicated. Therefore, it just never resonated, especially with young voters who demanded complete biographical information. There’s nothing wrong ascertaining academic and professional competency. It’s the right thing to do!

Political punditry
In the deep and quiet valley of silence, I could hear the persistent ghostly query: Who will be the next titular head of the NMI?

I know I’ve met this person and he’d trailblaze by this valley Wednesday morning. He will garner the most votes derailing any hope by his opponents for a run-off.

He would have to quickly assemble a team of brilliant leaders for his administration, good executives for middle management, and highly civic-conscious broad mass at the base. The apex reviews the overall status of the NMI. The information he receives gives him the opportunity to reset the buttons of his plans as he begins running toward the goal post on matters of state. He’ll have a serious mandate on his shoulders.

What’s the biggest setback he faces? Definitely it’s the bankruptcy of the NMI and its obvious inability to meet its obligations given the significant decline in revenue generation. This huge gap would definitely require major infusion of funds in what’s known as anchor investments. It calls for real decisions.

Moving down this pathway with a set of vision, leadership, and the mechanism to proceed, then and only then could we gradually restore confidence in the future of these isles.

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Funnies: There’s humor too in the fading political slugfest. My favorite is the “Dancing Democrats” slamming their fist into the air hoping to catch votes on the way down. Then you have Republicans cringing “Ai, Ai, Ai!” as Inos gasps for air in his radio address.

The GOP came out the next day claiming there were 6,000 supporters, ignoring it only had 1,200 lunch plates. Heinz and J. Babauta did their stuff in stealth fashion. The former had the most village level supporters.