Reviewing abandoned homes

The number of abandoned houses throughout homestead subdivisions has piqued my interest, specifically what caused the trashing of the first family home.

Research was done a year ago that probed the issue to the core. Surprising the results of findings that revealed the primary culprits. It includes the following:

Dumping 50 cents for every dollar of the family income in poker arcades. We refuse to admit in grand self-denial the fangs of a very destructive family scourge. It is the primary culprit in the loss and abandonment of the first family home. It leaches into sacrificing other basic family needs just to meet this destructive addiction. Coupled with another destructive addiction—use of crystal meth—and it’s a homerun in complete family bankruptcy.

There’s the combined downsizing of private industries that released resident workers for CW-1 employees that resulted in joblessness. If you disagree, then why are there still some 15K guest workers here? Understandably, there’s the head on collision in value system—resident workers could afford delinquency while guest workers treat employment seriously. The low minimum wage factors into the loss of the family home and lack of ability to sustain paying for family obligations.

The granting of loan to applicants who simply don’t have the income to sustain paying for the first family home. It led to non-payment and subsequent foreclosure. It is especially hard for those who became victims of political retaliation—loss of government jobs—for marching behind the wrong politician.

When do we admit that this scourge has ruined family wellbeing Marianas-wide? Do we have the courage to rid families of their destructive gambling addiction? It’s loss of family homes now; what’s next?

Important: Legacy building
There are several meanings of the word legacy. One pertains to something passed on by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past. Let’s bring this closer to home.

Let’s use an athletic metaphor (lingo) in hopes of establishing an understanding of the term. We’ve seen some of the best baseball pitchers here, from Uncles Jose Magofña, Rick (Ruth) Sablan and Logrigo (Digu`) Camacho, to Tony Satur and Tony Benavente. Each has a history of records difficult to match as powerful hurlers on the diamond years ago.

What’s your contribution beyond looking dapper and suspiciously smart? Would it be cockfighting, roadside trash collection, chasing stray dogs, pantie hanging prohibition, and tinted windshields?

Are we supposed to blindly take these trivial issues as significant constructive policies that would help revive the local economy? It’s economic dystopia where nothing works, right? How could you have missed it?

Are you suffering from perception, lack of purpose and integrity lapses? Is situational abject poverty (resulting from your doing a whale lot of nothing) the indelible legacy you wish to leave behind? You see, we don’t want to embarrass you for doing what you do best: nothing!

What creates jobs?
Took a quick survey to find out if our people understand what creates jobs. Most had no clue but were quick to point to government.

“Isn’t it that we have over 4,000 public sector employees?” I pressed if this sector generates profit the way private industries do? No answer.

Actually, it begins with an entrepreneurship that sees a need for a certain service. He organizes a business that includes hiring people to partake in providing the planned service. It would have to be profitable and sustainable in order to keep his employees.

The businessman pays income taxes from profits he made. His employees also pay income taxes. This often includes paying a certain amount for health insurance too. So you could imagine how hard he has to work daily to stay above water.

If politicians claim they create jobs it’s best that they stick it in their ears. Why do I want a job that requires my kissing their filthy ring? My personal dignity and dedication to get ahead rise above corrupt favors. “People need jobs, and millions find dignity in work, but not from jobs that others are forced to provide. People want to be genuinely useful. They don’t just want to go through the motions.”

Hocog’s $400K: Through the grapevine I heard that the $400,000 to subsidize the fuel cost of the MF Luta has been released. What’s the source of authority allowing for the release of such a huge taxpayers’ subsidy? Was it duly appropriated and specifically earmarked for such purpose?

What about other businesses struggling to stay above water, don’t they also deserve taxpayer subsidies? Other businesses muddling through thick bad times also deserve subsidies! The AG and OPA must zero-in on this highly questionable use of public funds.