SG: Misunderstood concept

For 36 years we’ve asserted our favorite spout of our rights to “self-government” while hypnogogic, meaning staggering to the bathroom half asleep, disoriented while second-guessing our steps. Well, here we are today heavily saddled with bankruptcy! I’m not sure that driving every agency into the ditch of insolvency is our aspiration of self-government.

For months, I’ve sought for definition—from the prism of the indigenous warriors—what we stand for on substantive issues. It would have to be something meaningful beyond the corrupting effects of politics. And we all must proactively partake on issues pertaining to our livelihood to keep the guys and gals on their feet.

Isn’t it imperative that a framework of issues is organized for now is the time to instill good governance responsibly? What does this entail?

It begins with educating our people about the importance of citizenship responsibility. This approach should open up opportunities for civil discussion and understanding what may have gone right or otherwise over the last three decades. Lest this is done, our canoe would continue drifting heedlessly in troubled waters!

Is disorientation a forte?

If a certain sector is true to its commitment to keeping local control of government affairs in the hands of the indigenous people, has it done its homework on this score? For instance, why the rally behind casino that would mean 5,000-plus more foreign workers here? There’s the humiliating inconsistency of words versus deeds.

In other words, there’s the lack of resolve to stick to a chosen agenda. We threaten to close the front door while slamming wide open the back door! Thus the scattershot approach piling into heaps of confusion rather than fostering clarity and understanding.

Assuming we secure the much touted $30 million to help retirees. Doesn’t the Fund require $50 million annually to pay for its obligations? What happens after two years? It seems it’s one more try at the disappointing forte of “advancing to the rear.”

Was due diligence done on this issue? Did pro-casino troops know that Atlantic City saw its revenue drop by 45 percent last year? Did they know that other states have failed generating the projected revenues promoted by industry executives in concert with corrupt politicians?

Who among so-called leadership received “grease money” and wouldn’t the compromise of integrity change the political landscape here for a long time? Would not this industry sacrifice the lower-income folks so wealthy casino executives could haul their loot from the poor?

Have we quietly joined the ranks that have seen fit to turn this tiny community to roll out the red carpet of cultural genocide?

Meanwhile, legislators ventured proposing a new political status commission. It was vetoed. Rep. Trenton Connor spouted he’s “not in conformance” with the governor’s action. Fine. How about conformity to the permanency of the agreement? It’s in the document in plain simple language, too, sir! What would we accomplish and would the U.S. come to the table?

Have we done anything to help the underemployed meet the vicious challenges in the 20-percent increase in the cost of living?

Did we probe why 90 percent of freshmen flunked the entrance exam at NMC this year? Must not there be serious review of this issue to help students secure acquisition of skills that begins with fully grounded high school foundation?

What about the seriously deteriorating health of the indigenous people? Isn’t it true that Obamacare has displaced many of our people who pulled out from their health policies? Why is leadership so apathetic providing the requisite funds for hospital operations? Like it or not, health isn’t only the most important ticket item but equally expensive no matter how you dice or splice it. Deal with it on a realistic basis!

Thorny Article 12

The land alienation (Article 12) issue is stuck in the filthy swamp of heedless discussion, moving in and out of ethnicity versus sale. There’s a need to put it into context so it is clearly explained and hopefully understood by NMDs. It’s land sale versus protecting tradition: Which one do we dump first?

Have you listened to Marianas scholars on this issue, many of whom are saying retain Article 12 in the interest of island nation building and, most importantly, tradition? This view embraces a vision that merits further discussion. I could see where they’re coming from and trust they’d come around to sharing their educated views of the future of the indigenous people. They refer to these isles as “home,” not just another place in the sun.

Something’s got to give

Do we acknowledge with complete abandon the deepening economic and fiscal mess so our famous Wagon of Bankruptcy careens heedlessly into complete fiscal insolvency?

Or do we regroup so we take back what’s ours in order to begin rebuilding the bridge of hope for our children?

It’s irresponsible to give in to complacency. It’s time to uproot the corrupt from government in order to get back what’s ours. It’ll give us the opportunity to remap the future for our children.

Persistent financial crisis

I’ve done two major career cuts in both sectors: 1) As head of the Saipan Tribune and 2) secretary of the Department of Public Lands.

After nine months, I saved the parent company some $20K in monthly subsidy.  At DPL the desk audit forced major salary adjustments based strictly on credentials and qualifications. We saved the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars!

In either case, employees must learn to earn their dues! It instills integrity and professional development! It leads to better paying jobs up ahead.