Heller, politicians and voters

I know all of you are well aware of the public discussion on the legalization of marijuana and the economic potential it offers but it still seems most of you can’t get your minds off casinos or anything else and the rest are just lost and don’t know what to do, I guess. You were supposed to have been looking for solutions to our economic needs and alternatives to casinos ever since the people voted no in 2008 and here we are eight years later on the same subject, it’s ridiculous! Need I remind you that the impeachment was also about changing direction from the course Gov. Fitial had us on, which was for casinos. The people not only wanted Fitial out, they wanted nothing to do with his plans for casinos that got us nowhere! We the people have been forced to endure the stupidity of casino talk with every excuse possible and now it’s the 25 percent. Heller!

The casino advocates finally got an excuse with a group big enough among the retirees to hopefully get their way. But it is not going to work because even retirees know we can’t depend on our government anymore. Look at how the people who are owed land compensation have been shafted for decades because the casino was first proposed to pay them off but now it’s the Fund. Who do you think you are fooling? Certainly not the voters anymore. They passed the e-casino bill for one investor to save the Fund, they are borrowing $120 million for the Fund, and now they want to force casinos on us for the Fund. I am willing to bet the joke is going to be on our politicians in November because voters can’t be falling for this mess.

Voters have seen other states increase their revenues in the hundreds of millions from legalizing marijuana and voters have heard the President’s push for marijuana reforms. Voters can see how much the legalization of marijuana can do to turn our economy around and yet none of you have uttered one word for or against the idea. Voters haven’t forgotten the proposed ferry service that would take tourists from Saipan to the Tinian Dynasty and take tourists from Guam to the Rota Resort’s casino but not one word, even though the study was supposed to have been out in November 2013 according to the governor but we all know he wants casinos so the ferry service dies.

We the people did not elect you to be followers of the administration but to create a check on the administration and be representatives of and for the people. Have you forgotten the creed you are sworn to uphold because you can’t respect the no decision of and by the people? It is not your prerogative to change our minds for us because the people should approve or disapprove the casino. Your political careers could be doomed in November. The people are not stupid, because they can see the source of political favors for government bids, the e-gaming and casinos that appears to all is meant for only one investor. Voters now know and can see other states have proven there is a real alternative to casinos in the legalization of marijuana. A ferry service to the existing casinos is another real alternative to Saipan casinos. Our leaders in the Legislature need to come out of the closet on marijuana legalization or quit because we need leaders who will lead on all the issues!

P.S.: The legalization of marijuana is a great example of the silent and safe politics of our leaders that I have often talked about. Now I hope every voter can see their silence on a key issue that could turn our economy around because their silence speaks volumes of their fortitude, their inability to lead, and their unwillingness to offer or even support a genuine alternative to casinos—they are following not leading. The great part is we the people can fix a lot of our economic problems ourselves by simply signing and passing the “Legalize It” initiative.

Ambrose M Bennett
Kagman, Saipan