Poverty income debacle

Appalling that some 15,000 (out of a total of 26,000 employees) are stuck at the poverty income level. Imagine how families deal with hardship forced by the lack of adequate buying power to meet basic needs.

It means most families here are literally struggling as politicians propose another hasty plan to raise their salaries. Have people on the hill done anything concrete to address and resolve this difficult filial inadequacy? Is your answer in the affirmative?

The issue only needs use of simple common sense that doesn’t even rise to a level requiring use of initial apprehension.

What’s the mystery misstep, gentlemen? Isn’t it your fiduciary duty to improve the livelihood of your people? Have you started anything on this score?

Self-government: At the recent Constitution Day, I was hoping it would include a ceremony to extend gratitude to our elderly statesmen who worked diligently on the Covenant Agreement that was approved in 1975.

Their entire career spans the history of the NMI and trail blazed major issues to advance our plight on self-government. They deserve a sense of gratitude from our community.

It is the vision inherent in the document that set the stage for political stability and the benefits it provided for real time socio-economic growth on the islands. It opened up the floodgates for Nippon and other investments. These are the highlights of the agreement.

By 1993, the NMI had more than sufficient internally generated revenues for all its needs. That was a grand accomplishment for these isles.
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Councils: Self-government hails from “we the people” at the municipal level. This is where it all begins!

It boggles the mind, though, that the two constitutional conventions have denied the mayors the right to select their people for immediate jobs.

The misplaced authority still comes from somewhere in the central government so far removed from governance.

Must learn to trust and work with mayors so there isn’t arbitrary denial of rightful authority. It’s called political maturity and the ability to work together in harmony.

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Music: I was a musician for about 25 years. I still have my ukulele and guitar I’d strum occasionally to hum melodies of yesteryears. Love the classics with beautiful melodies and meaningful lyrics, e.g., Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Mood for Love, and Stars Fell in Alabama, among others.

It was through music that I literally helped mom and dad meet basic family needs. It was a time when we critically share what little we had to ensure the wellbeing of one and all. Memories!

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Homes: I am in agreement with Stanley Torres that we should stop the placement of mobile homes and container houses on the western front of the island. The net result would be additional colossal ruination of the beach side. How about building them on hillsides? It still offers a fine view of the ocean, right?

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Hunger is a painful experience. I’ve had my share of it a long time ago. I never knew, though, that there are others nearby with far worse situation. In other words, they had to endure going without food for days.

This bothered me to the marrow of my bones. Was it a case of joblessness? At that time, we didn’t have any form of assistive programs like food stamps. So we muddled through with what we could find. If it’s faucet water then faucet water it is! Hard Days Night!

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In spite of the hardship, I’ve never lost sight of the vision of greater things ahead. It’s embedded in my spirit with a healthy dosage of hope to move forward. Gratefully, the Lord’s steady hands guided my journey to this day.

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Echo: It piques my interest when I hear a distant echo like fishing ventures, etc. But it’s a familiar echo I’ve heard over the last four decades. Sadly, it slides right into an adage, “After all is said and done a lot more is said that done”. Biba Marianas!

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Term: There’s a difference between a public servant and guardian. The elected elite is the former while mine is the latter. Do you now see why my role is no walk in the park either? But must keep an eye on da kine odda guys!
For the most part, though, these folks are decent. You wanted them there as policymakers so give them the respect they deserve. It’s good to review their work at year’s end. It’s healthy keeping them on their toes!

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Felis Noche Buena to one and all! JR and family.