Reality check

For the record, the casino law is far from perfect and the idea of having a casino or two on Saipan is probably not everyone’s idea for how our government should generate new revenue, but if you oppose the casino law or casinos in general, how about refraining from extreme and pointless objections and do two things: offer alternative solutions to the casino and when discussing casinos, qualify your arguments with concrete, verifiable data that is relevant to Saipan. We don’t particularly care about what happened in Vegas or Macau or elsewhere. There are conflicts happening in other parts of the world, how do they impact us? How are they relevant to our existence? Catch my drift?

We cannot avoid or ignore the implications of doing nothing to fix our economy now or of subjecting potential investors to mindless bureaucracy meant to drive them away. Given our location, limited natural and human resources, it is indeed a wonder we got not just one but two companies willing to put down their money on Saipan, especially given the harsh conditions of the casino law.

We can sit back, assume the mañana attitude and pretend everything is pretty darn good but the fact is our options are limited and there is only one way to fix our problems and that is by doing everything we can now, not next year or sometime in the next 20 years. Now! Negligence and complacency both carry a heavy price.

Now, for the casino. Logic and common sense must prevail on this one. The question is, will it generate revenue to help the CNMI? If the answer is yes, how about allowing both casino applicants the opportunity to open on Saipan? After all, all of the liabilities rest on the shoulders and pockets of the investors. What do we have to lose?

Rep. Ralph Demapan took a chance when he introduced the casino bill and so did Eloy when he signed it into law. Were they wrong? I don’t think so. It takes balls to stand up for the right thing regardless of how socially acceptable it is or how divisive and contentious it is. I wish every public representative were the same. As for the three separate public referendums wherein the majority voted no to casinos, well, you have to understand what a referendum is but then again, the Legislature does have the authority and the power to introduce a casino bill and the governor has the same to sign it into law. They did their job, comprende?

If you’re undecided on the issue, examine the facts yourself. How’s your life? What will you offer your kids and their kids? Don’t be misled by dreamers stuck in their perfect world. Want a reality check? Take a drive from Coral Ocean Point to Marpi and count how many buildings are abandoned and empty. Want another one? Check into the problems we have with CHC, CUC and other government agencies, the retirees, the lack of pay raises, the lack of cost of living increases, the impending departure of thousands of workers and their families.

In 1978, we started our Commonwealth with an American dream but that started to unravel when we lost our garment industry, then control of our immigration. Now thousands are unemployed and we’re still politicking and nitpicking. What a shame. What gets me is that in spite of the multitude and complexities of our problems, so many are trying to kill what may our only opportunity for economic recovery. Why?

Noel S. Reyes
Dandan, Saipan