The perfect storm at home

Walking into the middle of a perfect storm is fearfully dangerous. We’ve been in it for over a decade and forecasters aren’t sure when will it recede or head out into the horizon.

The superstorm slammed everyone when utility rates here exploded in our faces six years ago, turning households into de facto employees of CUC. When it eats a good portion of the stagnant family income (income that remained the same for over 10 years) everybody feels it. We even memorize the vicious increase like grammar school alphabet. Momentarily, Santa came into town a day before last November’s election and gave everyone a $600 utility voucher. Is he still here or has he gone south of the equator?

When the NMI experienced heavy cash flow problems, the Inos administration cut retirement pension by 25 percent. Difficult as it may be, it was the only recourse to ascertaining the provision of services for the majority. It was the responsible thing to do.

Then came casino license fees paid in advance, $30 million. It became the saving grace and Holy Grail used to restore the 25 percent. Is this a permanent solution given that we can’t even fork out $29 million and $15 million respectively to pay NMI and CHC’s utility bills?

Reportedly, the new budget submission has seen requests exceeding the proposed amount by $38 million. It’s a tough rain and fire dance to meet the budgetary needs of CHC, PSS, departments and agencies.

Recently, health premium costs went up. It simultaneously prompted implementation of health deductible of between $500 and $1,000 per year per family. It’s money we pay at CHC when seeking medical treatment. It’s one more level of brutal assault against the family purse. This forced a lot of folks to leave their health insurance providers and sought help with Medicaid.

Out in town, it is rumored that grocery stores have arbitrarily raised the price of basic commodities, saying food stamps is free thus the abusive spike. But what about the rest of us who literally must struggle to make ends meet as non-food stamps recipients? Those receiving freebies are used against others in non-freebie land. This definitely must be investigated immediately.

The dire effects of these setbacks bring home a fatally urgent query: What’s the policy of the NMI on healthcare, alternative energy, education, long-term illnesses, constructive economic programs; wages and salaries and other issues of significance? I haven’t seen anything that has the semblance of a serious plan.

These observations aren’t political punditry as much as informational purposes for the citizenry to analyze critically with more hardship descending on these isles. With no major investment rolling into our shores you could imagine what lies ahead as economic depression worsens.

The livelihood of villagers is stuck and sinks deeper in situational abject poverty right in the middle of a perfect storm. It happens when we use yesterday’s leadership gift wrapped in today’s followership. It’s catastrophic hardship everywhere! Is this your treasured legacy?

Historic Preservation’s duty

Historic Preservation is the lead agency in the Garapan excavation of historic materials. It stands to reason therefore that it must actively engage in the work before including contracts and the entire nine yards.

In other words, it can’t step back to say that what happens henceforth is between the private archaeological firm and BSI. It should dictate inclusion of all materials already dug by the firm earlier retained to do the work.

The reason is simple: Whatever is dug up in ancestral bones to pottery and traditional weaponry belongs to the NMI government. Thus, Historic Preservation can’t don the role of a bystander in this case. It owns the project and must step in and actively assist in the entire excavation, including contractual agreements.

Liberation Day partnership

The venom of sleek public relations stunt has been formed and metastasized like cancer on the islands. Recently, there’s a partnership established with a certain Hong Kong group to partake in the planning and celebration of Liberation Day.

As this partnership pans out, did Mayor David Apatang overlook the significance of this day, lives lost (locals, Americans and Japanese) during the war. Isn’t this day the celebration of our national independence, our country serving as the beacon of life, hope and freedom? Why would we trump it just for a few more firecrackers?

May we politely return the sugary lollipop? I still haven’t forgotten my grandfather’s difficult days at a Japanese jail before the war. Nor am I prepared to surrender the principles and significance of Stars and Stripes Forever. Let us allow the bells of freedom to ring forever more “from sea to shining sea.” I’m sure thoughtful veterans would agree with me ready to celebrate without firecrackers from HK.