Juggling giants

We have been juggling two investment giants in our tiny palms: military and tourism. They are sizing each other as though preparing for the fight of their life. Neither side has presented a complete package for our purposes. The right information should enable us to map out our future.

We turn into grass that gets crushed in the process. There looms ahead the fiduciary duty to define our future with either beast or both.

What’s the emerging contest about? It’s economic influence versus military geostrategic investments. Indeed, China uses the former but would eventually move in stride to establish regional hegemony—complete control—of Asia.

The U.S. wants the NMI for military purposes too. It would defend the region with support of allies difficult the quadrilateral process may be. Regardless of all the posturing or jousting the issue is about our future.

Obama’s fecklessness on foreign policy must have encouraged China and Iran to begin flexing their muscles. With his fuzzy and less disciplined approach on issues he probably thought the growing tension is a Miss Congeniality contest. His measurable irrelevance or disconnect did nothing but derail confidence within and without the country even among allies in the region. US response has been reactive, rhetorical and confused.

Implication of alliance
Yes, there’s the U.S.-Japan alliance that turns defense of the country (Japan) back into the turf of our friends. But such alliance would occur on an incremental basis. It shifts the equation on regional security with use of current bases staying intact.

It implicates the key role Futenma plays in the defense of Japan. Specifically, does it still mean carrying out relocation of Marines to Guam and is there still a need for fire ranges on Tinian and Pagan?

Locally, there emerges a vacuum or genie challenging our perception on the implications of events unfolding quickly requiring cautious navigation and disposition. I know that the agreement is generous when it comes to economic concerns. But the issue is a serious geostrategic matter that may have changed the tenor of such generosity. It’s all speculation at this point requiring critical and sober analysis including guidance from within.

Economics vs whatever!
Meanwhile, we know the lack of investments translates into the inability of the NMI to shore up sufficient funds for mounting obligations. And so the endless riddle turns into a seesaw we must figure out blurred our visions may be.

Furthermore, how do we navigate the fickleness of the tourism industry with Korea battling MERS, Japan realigning investments and China on virtual war with the U.S.?

Information isn’t necessarily cryptic nor are paradigms blurred as we discuss these issues. Rather it is piled into a slew of failed perception among policymakers doubled down by the emergence of geopolitical implications on investments that hover above their heads!

Behind the curtain is a creature known as the “administrative state” comprising of major rules and regulations crafted by federal bureaucrats that are as powerful as statutory laws approved by Congress.

Take a quick glimpse at the dire effects of the feds taking immigration control from the NMI and entry of the US Treasury that legally fined the Tinian Dynasty $75 million for failing to meet certain requirements on money laundering.

The challenge
Amidst a set of serious challenges that forced more uncertainty ahead it seems fitting that the elected-elite meets to ponder these issues forthwith. This is where our delegate’s advocacy role is direly needed, specifically, easing federal immigration policy against the NMI. It needs time to engage in realistic education and training of its local human resource.

Difficult the issues may be, we know equally well Uncle Sam’s lackluster performance in the development of the NMI. He delivered the first blow effectively closing the $2.1 billion apparel industry by taking away immigration control in recent past. But the agreement says he’s supposed to provide for a “higher standard of living”. It was the complete reverse!

It successfully protected labor union’s interest in California over our fate living off highly fragile economic pillars that crumbled instantly. There wasn’t even an offer to transition and ease major loss in economic benefits. Federal attitude of inconsequence or in some instances arrogance still burns in our minds. It’s our livelihood!

And we stand by the roadside quizzing how do we lure and nurture new investments. It must be guarded so it grows rather than contract from one too many federal laws, rules and regulations. Wish we could leap frog into the future but it only comes one day at a time. It grants us time for some breathing room to think and plan.