New vision and new direction in American democracy

The framers of the American Constitution crafted a rulebook for a new kind of nation. They wanted a strong central government to maintain order yet splintered enough to ensure that no faction could ever impose its will upon the rest of the country. They wanted a democracy where the voice of the majority would reign, but where the rights of the minority would be protected. Faced with these contradictory goals, the founding fathers managed to write one of the most revolutionary document the world has ever seen. They created a political system that has survived for over 200 years. Amidst a multitude of conflicting policy goals over the course of its history, America continually struggled to maintain a balance between an efficient government and the preservation of individual rights.

The forbearers of the Northern Mariana Islands forged an agreement that reflected the American tradition of self-governance and checks-and-balances. In order to develop realistic goals in the NMI, it is essential that one understands the history of the politics in relation to the United Nations’ mandates and how that history has helped to shape the current situation. The Northern Marianas has involved itself in “negotiated agreements” with the United States in the past several decades; the outcomes of those agreements have deeply affected the attitude of the Northern Marianas people. Northern Marianas political history is not simply a litany of events placed in chronological order; it is the study of how certain events transform the rules of the game and how changes in the rules of the game affect future events. It sets the boundaries for how long a de facto government, especially one that is not elected by the will of the people. Exacerbating the prolonged social and political crisis is the perpetual marginalization and debasement of the NMI’s standard of living, contrary to what was provided for in the Covenant Agreement. What we are seeing at present is a gap between an efficient government and the preservation of individual rights embedded in our founding documents.

While everyone seems to complain about the growing influence of distant and self-interested special interest groups, few admit to belonging to any. Analysis and reasoned public discourse have given way to furious diatribes and paranoid rants. As active citizenry, we are obligated to engage in a methodical process of questioning, evaluating assumptions, gathering information, analyzing and planning prior to taking action. The events of recent situations demonstrated otherwise. It appears that the people we expect the most from to protect the people’s interest have simply functioned in routines they don’t even question, or see the need for. In rejecting the status quo which is intricately factored in the present suffering, and installing visionary and committed leaders and leadership with public purpose focus, the quality combination that is guided by a forward looking vision could we the people ever hope, or even expect to reverse the countless sufferings that emanate in self-installed government, contrary to one that is mandated by its citizenry.

Caring about our CNMI, our place of birth, involves thinking logically and deeply about the future. It requires us to be problem-solvers now and not delay problem-solving to others. It means embracing the idea that where we want to be in five to 10, or even 15 years from now should inform what we do today. Being a part of the solution requires regular interaction, engagement, and participation in the political process in which all endeavors are geared toward making our Northern Mariana Islands, including GANI Islands north of Saipan, dynamic, adaptive, sustainable, and progressive—a place we call home, where ample opportunities exist for our children, and a home where we freely choose to live and spend the rest of our lives and die here.

Freely choosing in a transparent manner leaders and quality leadership that fit the demand of the times require meaningful participation in the democratic electoral process—a process available to all citizens, in which every citizen is guaranteed the right of participation without fear, uncertainty, political intimidation, coercion, duress, and harassment. Indeed, the centerpiece of American democracy provides fundamental rights to life, liberty and freedom—deeply rooted values all peace-loving republics cherish, the same values that citizens in the CNMI are entitled to. But these cherished values come at a price in the ultimate sacrifice of our men and women in uniform in the U.S. armed forces, our veterans, and our local marine scouts.

The lives of these fine men and women in uniform ought not to be lost in vain. In their memory, we are obligated to safeguard democracy by placing our trust and confidence on leaders with clear and purposeful directions, whose bold and innovative solutions are designed to give all generations, present and future, an opportunity to move forward and upward in prosperity and success!

Happy Independence Day! Biba American democracy! May God bless us all.

(By JUAN NEKAI BABAUTA and JUAN SABLAN TORRES
Special to the Saipan Tribune)