Too much already!

I am writing this letter because I am appalled by what I read in Friday’s paper about the $5,000 monthly subsistence allowance that the CNMI Senate is giving members from Tinian and Rota. I remember that one candidate’s platform in the last election was for the reduction in the number of legislative members. I wonder what happened to his campaign promise? We do not really need 29 people to represent the people of the Commonwealth. I will volunteer to serve for free and I promise to be twice as productive.

Our coffers are about dry! Both the Legislature and Office of the Governor have failed to remit their fair share to the Retirement Fund because they kept saying that there is no more money to pay the government contribution, which is what caused the defunct retirement system to collapse in the first place. The governor continues to grant CUC emergency status, so much as a reward to cover the government’s failure to pay its fair share of the power bill. So much for an autonomous agency. The consumers are strung out as result of these sandbaggers taking advantage of a broken system. This entire disguise is a fog and a ploy to distort the truth and misguide the public.

I work in the private sector, and my employer does not grant me food allowance and or housing allowance. We have a large legislative body that rakes in $60,000 a year to live like kings: $60,000 multiplied by six members is $360,000! This is on top of their salaries. We are also subsidizing their CUC bills on Rota and Tinian. What if the government were to take this money and pay CUC? It’s not rocket science. We, the people of Saipan, are paying for these guys to come to Saipan, if and when they want to. But they don’t have to show up. Let’s look at the legislative roll call. I would guess that there are more times than not that they are no-show. There is no accountability for our money. They get the money whether they’re at the Senate or not. More than a quarter of a million dollars every year goes to circumvent the constitutionally mandated salary cap. This is why we have lifetime members in the Legislature because there is free money. Hard work is not a required and salary is constitutionally protected.

The Legislature needs to look closely at the Constitution and follow the prescribed session requirements. They really do not need to meet and be here on Saipan. While we are struggling, our generous Senate increases their pot to get fatter. What a life, and this what they are doing to the people of the Commonwealth for years—just lining their pockets. I say stop this nonsense and return back the allowance as none of your deserve such subsistence.

To the people of the Commonwealth wake up! Esta este dimasao!

Leroy Pangelinan Rangamar
China Town, Garapan, Saipan