Other issues in paradise

We seem to have used our pug-nose sight to look at issues unsure what to make of them. Either it is treated apathetically and sleepwalked or the elected elite is simply too lazy fulfilling their fiduciary duty. The effects of “affluenza” must be nearing its pinnacle paralyzing their once nimble mind. Here are issues they’ve missed either inadvertently or purposely:

Sovereignty: The manner with which you conduct business especially on matters relating to foreign affairs is done as though the NMI is a sovereign or independent island nation. The Covenant Agreement provides for protocol on this matter. Our national government won’t slam the brakes on economic programs we seek from nearby Japan and Asia.

But it seems that even the traditional definition of representation has shifted in light of the emergence of geopolitical feud between China and our national government US of A. Last I checked Covenant Section 101 is still intact. It spells out our giving up sovereignty to Uncle Sam. Moreover, it’s a permanent relationship.

Self-government: We conveniently vent frustrations against the feds over ill disposition of local affairs and call for a review of our relationship. This is lowly adolescency! Take a realistic view at your prism what entails self-government. It includes a constitutional mandate for a “balanced” budget or living within our means.

Did you guard this to ensure we don’t run up cumulative deficits of well over $1.2 billion? Doesn’t this tell you that the NMI is in serious fiscal crisis with deficit seemingly fossilized and treated like a fly-by cotton ball you dust off your shirt? Hmmm! You missed fulfilling fiduciary duty!

Bureaucracy: With fiscal paralysis it seems logical that you would initiate moves to cut down the cost of all government operations. We have a bicameral Legislature with 29 members intoning “You Are My Sunshine” most days. What have you done collectively to move economic growth forward to shore up funds for essential needs?

If you’re true to your fiduciary duty perhaps you could explain to taxpayers whether in fact the NMI needs over 3,000 public sector employees. It’s too much of an excess baggage!

The Legislature must be reduced to a unicameral system with eight members. It should open the floodgates to voting for real qualified policymakers who have real percipiency on issues.

Defense: Whether we like it or not, regional security becomes a toxic issue on the table we must deal with as U.S. Citizens in defense of our country.

Recently, more U.S. submarines have been deployed to Guam waters including stealth B-52 Bombers and jetfighters. This elevates geopolitical issue on regional security that doesn’t need debate at all. Guam has turned into a major military installation and what it can’t accommodate spills over to the NMI. It means our addressing military needs responsibly the NMI being Americana.

Terrorism: We also have taken ISIS creeping agenda for granted. It is now a “significant strategic and lethal threat” even for us out here. In fact, it has gained affiliates faster than Al Qaeda. Nearby Asia has millions of Muslims. A radicalized group of Islam could easily head here to inflict lethal bombings when we least expect it. Indonesia recently saw heavy explosions claimed to be the work of Islam operatives. In either case it involves responsible participation.

Subversion: The move to review U.S.-NMI relationship is ill placed. Or isn’t this a subversive move to change loyalty from the U.S. to the Republic of China? As much as I abhor some of Obama’s policies I still prefer his big mouth than Jinping’s dictatorial muscles. Imagine being overrun by fiat with the privileged few dictating everything. I would be one of the first to disappear mysteriously for being anti-dictatorial establishment. Ever heard of freedom?

Labor: The NMI must realistically address labor needs based on a set of plans. President Obama has proposed what’s known as the “wage insurance” proposal covering certain percentage of workers salaries for loss of resulting from a job transfer for at least two years.

It should be an innovative plan the NMI could explore to move government workers to private industries. In other words, if a public sector worker earns $3 per hour and loses a dollar for transferring to a private firm, the government pays the difference. It’s a good way forward to easing taxpayers’ excess baggage. It should gradually establish policy stability.

Poverty: I’ve heard shallow spouts about poverty in the islands. It’s an issue that merits thorough review the goal being to eradicate it with finality. It needs realistic study. It’s an issue that has been around for 50 years since the days of President Lyndon Johnson. But after half a century and $22 trillion in tax expenses it remains a failure to this day. There’s a way out of it but it needs political resolve and resiliency to set a fully thought-out approach to resolving it once and for all. How would you approach resolution?

Obamacare: We yawn and ponder the mood in the U.S. Congress to permanently dismantle Obamacare.This move has basically placed the President’s signature accomplishment on life support. State governments who opted out aren’t ready to absorb the bankrupting effects it would impose upon them as federal matching funds decrease or eventually disappear. It has helped the NMI to the extent that money is available for several more years after which we shoulder all costs. Are we financially poised to absorb additional expenses in the millions of dollars?